Reservoirs reach 80% capacity, the best figure in four years

BarcelonaReservoirs in the inland basins have now reached 80% of their capacity. A figure unthinkable just a few months ago and not seen since July 2021. It took almost four years to reach levels that should be normal at the end of spring, and all this has been thanks to the frequent rainfall that has fallen throughout the spring. Above all, due to the extraordinary rains and snowfall in March—the wettest of the century—which have provided a lot of water and ensured a thaw that is still ongoing and continues to maintain good flow in the country's main rivers.

In a short time, the situation has gone from one extreme to another. Reserves have increased by almost 50% compared to the levels seen just two and a half months ago, given that just over a year ago the lowest level of the historic drought was reached, when reservoirs fell to 14% in early March of last year. More than three years later, the drought is finally over.

Some reservoirs are full, such as Baells—which had to open floodgates to release water—Sant Ponç, and Foix. Most reservoirs continue to rise, with the exception of Sau, where the level has once again dropped below 70%. However, the reason is that water is being released into its larger reservoir, Susqueda, which is now approaching 90% of its capacity. The entire Ter-Llobregat system exceeds 81%, and the Catalan reservoirs of the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation (CHE) are practically at 90%.

In short, Catalonia is entering summer with reserves in its internal basins clearly above 75%, the level considered optimal to safely cope with the drop in summer reserves and which is estimated to be reduced by 15% on average in a normal year (without restrictions) due to the lack of rainfall. But experts warn that we've experienced an extremely dry spell, and everything indicates it will be repeated sooner rather than later due to the climate crisis. Therefore, we must continue to use water responsibly and keep an eye on the future to better prepare.

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"It shouldn't take long for us to have a similar or worse drought," warns Vicent Altava, a technician in applied research and modeling at the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (SMC), in statements to ARA. However, he clarifies that this is not an immediate scenario, but rather one that would occur more and more in these years, despite the fact that more and more.

What is most worrying about droughts as long and extreme as the last one, considered the worst on record in Catalonia, is that the country is accumulating a water deficit that is difficult to recover. of water that, despite the large amount of rain that has fallen in this area in recent months (more than 500 l/m² in March alone), we are still far from balancing the scales, with the consequences that this has on the territory.

Thus, despite the good moment that reserves are experiencing, the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) maintains its forecasts of increasing desalinated and regenerated water. By the end of this year, there will be 31 cubic hectometres (hm³) of new resources thanks to initiatives such as the improvement of the Besòs water treatment plant and the Sant Feliu de Llobregat wastewater treatment plant.

The goal is clear: to avoid depending on rain during future droughts. The forecast is that by 2029, 280 hm² will be available from desalination and water regeneration and from better use of the Besòs River; a resource that will cover 70% of annual water demand.

During the worst period of the last drought, 50% of the water consumed was desalinated or regenerated, providing a total of 300 hm³ additional. According to ACA sources, without these resources and restrictions, by May 2023, "the reservoirs would have been empty."