Nina Droff
Spain is also experiencing an almost unprecedented drought period. If it doesn’t rain soon, Barcelona and the surrounding area could face strict water restrictions, as the La Baells dam, which supplies much of the region with water, is at its lowest level in 14 years.
Leaning against the mountains, the artificial lake of Baells does not look good. Instead of several meters of water appeared dry and rocky ledges. A very tense situation for this dam which supplies water to the 5 million inhabitants of the Barcelona conurbation. “Do you see the light brown trace there? Normally the water should rise up there when the dam is full… at 40% of capacity only”, indicates Jesus Calderer, the mayor of the village of Cercs, located a few kilometers away.
“The situation is going to get really complicated”
“If it doesn’t rain quickly and in large quantities, the situation will really get complicated. From September, we risk having to impose water restrictions on the entire metropolis of Barcelona”, he warns at the microphone of Europe 1. In the commune, no more watering of gardens, nor cleaning of cars, water must be consumed in moderation.
Installed in the shade of the trees, Miguel and Claudia cross their fingers so as not to have any restriction in drinking water. “We have never seen that here”, testifies Claudia. “We stopped watering our gardens… We have to be responsible, we can’t all use 50 liters a day,” adds Miguel. “We hope it will rain soon.”
“We lost a third of our usual figure”
It is also the entire local economy that is threatened. Tourists are scarce on the river below, for lack of water depth, as explained by Fonzi, the manager of the nautical center. “We have lost a third of our usual figure in summer. If the level drops further, we will have to stop completely. It’s normal, we have to be careful, since this water is above all intended for people”, underlines- he on Europe 1. Several neighboring municipalities have already suspended their nautical activities.