QAtalonia declared a water emergency on Thursday. Initially, it applies to more than 202 places in the Barcelona and Girona region, with a total population of more than six million. “We are dealing with the worst drought of the last century,” Catalan regional president Pere Aragonès said on Thursday. It's the start of “dizzying times if the lack of rainfall continues,” Climate Protection Minister David Mascort said.

For almost 40 months, there has been too little rain in the region. The inland reservoirs that feed the region's Llobregat and Ter rivers are less than 16 percent full. In November, the regional government imposed a pre-emergency state of emergency, while the area around Girona is under stricter restrictions.

The water pressure in the pipes decreases

Now, the first stage of the emergency only affects some municipalities where the total daily consumption per inhabitant exceeds 200 liters. There, the water pressure in the pipes is reduced. In the city of Barcelona, ​​the consumption is just under 170 liters. Restrictions are expected there only in the summer, when there is still no precipitation.

Public fountains were already turned off last year. It is no longer allowed to water fields and green areas in cities. Car washing (except in special facilities) and watering the lawn are punishable. Water supply for agriculture and industry decreased significantly. The campers' association is considering filling the swimming pools with seawater. Sports facility operators are investigating the possibility of limiting shower times to a maximum of three minutes. Hoteliers in Catalonia are warning that reports of a drought could cause tourists to cancel their bookings.

Catalonia lived beyond its means for a long time before the historic drought began. According to Eurostat, the economically strong region uses a good third more water than is available from renewable sources.

A similar situation exists in Andalusia, where tourism and agriculture are even more important. The regional government there declared a drought emergency a few days ago because there has been insufficient rainfall for five years. Previously, the restrictions applied in nearly 60 places with a total population of about half a million. In the cities of Malaga, Seville and Córdoba, which are particularly popular with tourists, water may need to be rationed before the summer. In Málaga and Cádiz, preparations are being made for the supply of drinking water by tankers, which could start in the spring – this option is no longer ruled out in Barcelona.