GUALBA, Spain (AP) — In the picturesque village of Gualba, located near Barcelona, residents are feeling the devastating effects of a record drought that has plagued many towns in Spain. As the country and the rest of the Mediterranean region continue to grapple with the impacts of climate change, the situation in Gualba serves as a stark reminder of the impending water crisis.
Joan Torrent, a 64-year-old retiree, is among those affected by the drought. Armed with plastic jugs, he makes regular trips into the woods in search of drinking water. There used to be an abundance of springs in Gualba, but now Torrent struggles to find even one. Filling the jugs at a natural spring and hauling them back home has become a routine for him. While he considers this inconvenience minor, he fears that situations like his may become increasingly common in the face of climate change.
Torrent's concerns are not unfounded. Recently, officials in Spain's northeast region of Catalonia declared a drought emergency as reservoirs that cater to 6 million people, including Barcelona's population, have dipped below 16% of their capacity, marking a historic low. This announcement comes with limitations on the daily amount of water permitted for residential and municipal purposes, restricting it to 200 liters (53 gallons) per person.
While Barcelona's residents are yet to experience the full impact of the drought, smaller towns and villages, like Gualba, have been struggling for months. Many communities that rely on wells have found their water sources completely dried up, leaving thousands of people without clean water for consumption.
Gualba, once known for its abundant water sources flowing down from the Montseny mountain, has seen a significant change. The local reservoir fell to such low levels in December that the water became undrinkable, rendering it only suitable for washing clothes and dishes. Most residents now have to travel to neighboring towns to purchase bottled water.
Jordi Esmaindia, the deputy mayor of Gualba, expressed his disbelief at the situation, saying, 'We have always had abundant water. Nobody imagined we would be like this.' This sentiment seems to echo throughout the country as Spain has experienced three years of below-average rainfall coupled with record temperatures. Experts predict that conditions are only set to worsen, primarily due to climate change, which is anticipated to affect the Mediterranean region at a faster rate than others.
The severity of the water shortage in Catalonia is evident in the reservoirs fed by the Ter and Llobregat rivers, which have plummeted to a mere 15.8% of their capacity, far below the 10-year average of 70%. Only the Guadalete-Barbate river basin in southern Andalusia is in a worse state with a capacity of just 14.6%. As a whole, Spain finds itself at 50%, highlighting the magnitude of the water crisis the country is facing.
The situation in Gualba serves as an urgent call to action. It is a stark reminder that the lack of water is not only an inconvenience but a serious issue that needs immediate attention. As Spain and the rest of the Mediterranean region adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, it becomes crucial for individuals and communities to be more conscious of their water usage and explore sustainable alternatives to ensure a stable water supply in the future.
