The return of ornamental sources: a new chapter
After a long period of drought restrictions, Barcelona is preparing for a new stage with the reactivation of its iconic ornamental sources. This process, which will begin gradually, will be deployed in three phases until the middle of 2026, with the aim of restoring the 245 sources that have been inactive since November 2022.
A progressive start: 74 sources in the first phase
The first phase of this plan will begin immediately and will last until June, at which time 74 sources will be activated. Of these, 68 are small, with less than 40 m², in addition to the five fountains located in Passeig de Gràcia and Font Manuel de Falla, in Nou Barris. It is also planned to clean and prepared lakes such as those in Industrial Spain and Creueta del Coll, as well as the 85 sources that have maintained water during the drought, acting as refuges for wildlife.
The Magic Fountain: an emblematic project in renewal
Between June and October 2025, Barcelona plans to activate 73 more sources, with dimensions ranging from 40 to 100 m². One of the most anticipated moments will be the reopening of the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc during the Fiestas de la Mercè. This source, which attracts more than two million visitors annually, is currently in the process of renewing with an investment of 3 million euros to incorporate sustainable technologies and improve control and lighting systems.
Promising future: new sources and improvements underway
The third phase of the plan will be extended from October 2025 to the first half of 2026, with the launch of 72 additional sources that exceed 100 m². However, 19 sources will be temporarily closed by works or preparations. In total, the Barcelona City Council has planned 78 improvement actions with an investment of 6.6 million euros until 2028, including the installation of seven new sources before next summer.
Normalization of irrigation and recovery of green
With the end of the drought alert, irrigation of the city’s parks and gardens has been restored, with the intention of maximizing the use of water table. To date, 40% of the dead trees have been recovered and 9,000 new trees have been planted before the spring of 2026. The mayor, Jaume Collboni, emphasized that, despite the challenges, the city will emerge from the drought with 1,500 more trees.
A commitment to sustainability
Collboni emphasized the importance of citizen commitment during the drought and has called for responsible use of water. The City Council will continue to invest in the improvement of groundwater reserves, with domestic consumption below the previous limitations, with 96.7 liters per inhabitant per 2024. This collective effort represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and resilient Barcelona.
