Home / Editor's Pick /

Barcelona mangler drikkevand - Langvarig tørke i Spanien

08:02
1 January 2023

Dramatic drought in Spain
Lack of drinking water in Barcelona

The record-breaking summer is long gone, but many regions in Spain are still suffering from a dramatic drought.

Eastern parts of the country are particularly hard hit, including Catalonia's capital Barcelona.

Many parts of Spain are becoming increasingly dry. Even the main reservoir for drinking water supply in Catalonia, Pantà de Sau, is only a quarter full.

Because the water level is so low, remnants of ancient settlements can now be seen, including a church tower and various buildings where the river used to flow.

dry river in dramatic landscape

The region has been hit by an exceptional drought for just over two years. After an extremely hot and dry summer, the all-important autumn rains have also largely failed to materialise.

The situation is very critical, but it would be much worse today if there were not a large seawater desalination plant here.

It is the largest of its kind in Europe and was built after the last major drought in 2008. The technical masterpiece has been running at full capacity for a year, producing drinking water for around a million people.

But even that is still too little, as more than five million people live in the Barcelona area.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Split image. On the left - Thick, stormy clouds cover the sky at the coast. The sea is to the left with a beach taking centre frame. On the right - View of the North Sea with rays of sunlight streaming down over cloud.
Sunday 10 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Snaps from a stormy week
Image of a field surrounded by trees. All in full leaf as sunlight shines down from the sky.
Thursday 7 August 2025

Daylight decreases

Up to 2 hour shift in sunset for some
Thursday 31 July 2025

Brewing in the Atlantic

Summer storm to start the week?
All weather news
This might also interest you
Two weather maps of the UK and Ireland. On the left, a wind map showing stronger gusts in the west of Scotland. On the right a weather map showing showers across parts of Wales and England.
Thursday 7 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Showery start on another windy day
Weather map showing England, Wales, and south-east Ireland. Clear skies over England and Wales with Ireland overcast. A large sun icon rests over England.
Friday 8 August 2025

Clouds part

Sunny weekend ahead
Wind map showing the UK and Ireland showing an area of low pressure to the north-west which brings stronger winds to northern areas of the UK.
Wednesday 6 August 2025

After a brief pause

Fresh low brings renewed winds
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement