Written by yuanrongwan on December 20, 2023

Water, a rigorous battleground in Spain

I. Introduction

Spain has been going through an expanded period of drought since 2022, while the circumstance has never gone so bad as it did this year. Since the summer 2023, swaths of Spain are steadily turning into desert, especially in the city of Barcelona. From a general point of view, rainfall in Spain has been around 17% below the 30-year average, and some reservoirs in Catalonia in certain southern regions are only 15% full, followed by a sharp rise in water bills in Barcelona and its neighbouring cities. Due to this long-running drought, the costs of desalination and water purification run higher than ever, contributing to a even severer situation.

II. Statistics & Data

In order to dig deep into the reservoir levels stand at only 26% of their total capacity as of April 8, while in November, the internal reservoirs serving the affected area are just 18.5% full.

III. Measures & Solutions

As a response to this ongoing circumstances, the measures and solutions taken by are as follows:

Authorities have decided to limit the number of showers because of the ongoing state of exceptionality declared because of the drought, as reservoir levels stand at only 26% of their total capacity as of April 8.

2. The public toilets will also be open again in their set hours: 10.30 am to 6 pm in the ‘mid’ season, and until 8 pm in the ‘high’ season, which will last from May 27 to September 17.

3. The rescue and first aid service will have a maximum of 60 rescuers placed across 21 watchtowers.

4. The government will reduce water pressure in some areas to reduce water consumption from 230 liters (60 gallons) to 210 liters per person each day.

5. The government had to import drinking water by ship for Barcelona.

IV. a personal interview: what is life like for ordinary people in Barcelona currently?

The original motive of me writing about this topic is because the former tenant of my current living place is a Spanish student born and raised in Barcelona–Shawn. Also as an exchange student of LMU, he spent a great time in this house and thus, when he came to visit our house owner last month, he shared some personal feelings as well as deep thoughts about the drought in his hometown. Not to mention the inconvenience caused by the governmental measures countering water shortage, the biggest fear lies in a deep horror for the environment as a whole: If the situation can be this serious, can it be even worse? What can we do about it?

V. What about the farmers?

Another target group (in addition to Shawn) I chose to focus my study on are the local farmers. Due to the severe drought, it’s needless to say that the growth of crops will be affected. What comes after is a fierce internal competition among these local farmers — the threat is not just about business, but about one’s survival.

the Real Urgency of Water issue: a Global Matter

In a nutshell, the drought in Barcelona is an emergency issue for Spain, reflecting the irreversible consequences caused by climate change. Nevertheless, by no means will it be a battle of yesterday, what we should consider is a future made hotter and drier by climate change in much of the whole world.

“Water will be the environmental issue this year — the problem is urgent and immediate,” said Barbara Helferrich, a spokeswoman for the European Union’s Environment Directorate. It is not just Barcelona, or Spain that will encounter with topics about water, the world will focus on water. What can we do about it? That’s what we need to prioritize over, afterall.