Catalonia to Install Floating Desalination Plant to Address Barcelona's Water Crisis

In the face of a historic drought exacerbated by climate change, the city of Barcelona is taking significant steps to secure its water supply.

Regional authorities in drought-stricken Catalonia have announced plans to install a floating desalination plant in the city’s port. This innovative solution aims to provide Barcelona with an additional source of drinking water, addressing the pressing need created by over three years of below-average rainfall.

Addressing Water Scarcity

Barcelona, which already relies on Europe’s largest desalination plant, has been grappling with water scarcity due to the prolonged drought. The new floating desalination plant, scheduled to commence operations in October, is projected to produce 6% of the city's water consumption.

With the current desalination plant catering to nearly a quarter of the city's water needs, the addition of a second facility is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Barcelona's water supply.

Water Restrictions and Conservation Measures

As a response to the water crisis, Catalonia has imposed strict limitations, including a daily cap on domestic water use and significant reductions in water consumption for agriculture and industry. Despite some relief from spring rains, reservoirs serving millions of people in the region are only at 18% of their capacity.

Future Outlook

According to David Mascort, the head of the regional environmental authority, the new desalination plant is intended to alleviate the strain on Barcelona's water resources and potentially defer the need for more stringent water restrictions in the coming months.

The introduction of the floating desalination plant represents a proactive measure to mitigate the impact of the drought, potentially eliminating the necessity of importing additional water supplies by boat.