A decree law to deal with the drought
The possibility of a summer without swimming pools in Catalonia due to the severe drought has caused concern, but it seems that a solution is on the way. The Government is about to deploy a decree-law that will open the doors to the filling and refilling of swimming pools, both public and private, as long as they are available to the public.
This measure, according to Government sources, seeks to transform swimming pools into ‘climate shelters’, offering them as accessible spaces to combat the heat and high temperatures.
Collaboration with councils
The decree law has been created in collaboration with the Catalan Association of Municipalities (ACM) and the Federation of Municipalities of Catalonia (FMC), demonstrating a desire for consensus between the Government and local authorities.
It is expected that this measure will be ratified next Tuesday, April 16, also offering tools to manage water consumption by tourists, especially in those municipalities that have exceeded the maximum consumption thresholds for three consecutive months.
Community and private pools at the service of the public
The proposal not only includes municipal pools, but also private pools that are willing to open to the public. This may include agreements with sports clubs, neighborhood communities, hotels and campsites to provide access to their facilities.
Pools designated as climate shelters may be filled with the quantities of water necessary to maintain hygiene and safety, as long as additional water-saving measures are taken to compensate for their use.
Municipal decision
It will be the responsibility of the councils to decide which swimming pools are included in the drought emergency plans as a climate shelter, thus giving them more autonomy in the management of this critical situation.
In summary, this decree-law offers an innovative and collaborative response to face the drought in Catalonia, turning swimming pools into a vital resource for citizens during the summer months.