The Generalitat government has chosen to avoid advancing the emergency phase due to the drought, as it has been considering for some time. The reason? There are several, but above all it does not want to cause avoidable damage to economic activities with new restrictions that could be very harmful. On the contrary, the Executiu has given the green light to what it has called the “pre-emergency” phase, a stage that was not foreseen in the special drought plan (2020). And it does so with the intention of speeding up the possibilities of savings in various sectors and to "cause the minimum possible damage", although it is admitted that "the emergency is around the corner". However, it will cut the provisions even more of water available to the municipalities of the Barcelona and Girona region (at a flow of 220 liters per person and day for all uses), a way of intensifying the pressure on those who spend more than necessary. say, the Government also promises to "set an example" and take saving measures in the buildings and services of the Generalitat. With the current evolution, this emergency would perhaps arrive in the second half of December, when the reservoirs are at 16% of their capacity (Now they are at 18.5%). The Generalitat wants, in short, to raise an alarm, but it is somewhat tone-deaf; it also does not want to bother more than necessary.
The decision not to advance the emergency phase (as a preventive option) seeks not to harm the interests of certain economic sectors. Since spring, a good part of the water restrictions have been applied to the agricultural, livestock and industrial sectors (which have had water supply cuts of 40%, 30% and 15% respectively in the exceptional phase). The emergency phase would involve raising these use limitations to 80%, 50% and 25% respectively. It is alleged - and remembered - that additional water restrictions could be very harmful to industry and companies, to the point that they could affect employment, so "a balance" is sought so as not to damage their economies and the time guarantee supply.
Faced with the strictest alternative, the Government has opted for a "softer path" and perhaps more self-demanding, with measures that it considers less traumatic, which can give good results and prolong the pre-emergency situation (for example, with new wells and campaigns sectorized information) to delay for a certain time the arrival of actions that would have to be more drastic.
To the surprise of the technicians of the Catalan Water Agency, in the last year there has been no significant reduction in water consumption in the metropolitan region, despite the seriousness of the situation, which suggests that there is room for reduce pressure on resources. The emergency is very close and the citizens are not reacting, they say with concern in the Agency that manages the water.
On the other hand, by not bringing forward the emergency phase, a margin of time is given to the town councils so that they can prepare for the controls based on the water saving ordinances that should govern in the emergency, where the measures would be focused on local competition actions. The Barcelona Metropolitan Area has not clarified whether it has an ordinance in this regard and how it will apply it.
The “emergency” of the Generalitat has three fundamental pivots. On the one hand, water allocations to the municipalities of the Barcelona and Girona region (served by Ter and Llobregat) are cut to 210 liters per person per day (for all uses, including domestic, urban, municipal, commercial) .
Based on the new provisions, municipalities have the autonomy to decide how to adjust. Those responsible for the Generalitat do not consider whether municipalities should reduce network pressure, although this is the closest option that is being studied.
This measure would not have an additional extraordinary impact on the first metropolitan ring of Barcelona (which would directly lead them, for example, to reduce the pressure on the network) since these cities are consuming less than that amount. But it will very clearly force other more distant locations in the second metropolitan ring to “tighten their belts.”
Secondly, the Government assumes that the “pre-emergency declaration” should serve as a “wake-up call to citizens”, as a warning that should translate into better knowledge of the measures already established to restrict the use of drinking water. (filling of private pools and for individual or family use, cleaning of streets and cars or filling of ornamental fountains...).
In addition, the prohibition on watering grass in public and private areas is extended to a reduction by half of the water supplies of federated sports activities (soccer fields, like Barça's...), which goes from 450 to 200 m³ per hectare per month.
On the other hand, restrictions remain on golf courses, where 80% of the water used is regenerated and they have already been forced to cut 50% of the water that comes from the network. On the other hand, there are no plans to divert water from golf courses to agriculture, as it is considered unviable (agriculture consumes 200 hm3 and golf 8 hm3). "The investment in pipes is enormous and could not be replaced," they point out in the ACA.
And finally, thirdly, the Government also promises to apply 12 additional and urgent measures to lead by example. Thus, a plan is being prepared to reduce water consumption in penitentiary centers, an updated guide on good practices to save water in public buildings will be distributed, and campaigns will be promoted in schools, among social service workers and in the assistance network for attention to sexist violence. An information campaign has even been planned for the consular corps about the state of the drought, so that they can pass this information on to citizens of their countries who intend to travel to Catalonia.
Likewise, surveillance and control of the activities that are prohibited will be reinforced, which will entail the incorporation of 15 more people into the Catalan Water Agency to carry out these tasks.
On the other hand, a call for aid will be established (with an amount of 12 million euros) so that the tourism sector can carry out investments in efficient water management.
