The current situation
Catalonia is experiencing a severe episode of drought which is forcing measures to be taken to guarantee the supply of water during the summer, which is expected to be very hot.
Restrictions and prohibitions
One of the restrictions imposed in this emergency situation is the ban on refilling swimming pools. This measure is part of the protocol established by the Government and particularly affects municipal facilities.
Several councils, especially in cities of the second metropolitan crown, are pressuring the executive to make this ban more flexible.
A possible solution
The Department of Climate Action has identified a possible solution for municipal swimming pools. The possibility is raised that municipal swimming pools can be used as a climate shelter, beyond recreational use.
The Councilor for Climate Action, David Mascort, has stated that only municipal swimming pools that are considered climate shelters will be allowed to be filled. Work is underway on the preparation of a census to determine which neighborhoods or municipalities could welcome this possibility.
This measure will not be generalized and will only be applied in specific cases where there are no other spaces that can act as a climate shelter, such as libraries or reading rooms.
The drought plan
The current drought plan prohibits the refilling of swimming pools in the more than 200 municipalities that are in emergency situations due to the drought.
This ban has a greater impact on collective pools, as private pools can stay full from summer to summer without problems.
The drought plan also establishes other measures to regulate water consumption in public and private premises, taking into account the interests of private entities and the need to save water in this drought situation.
The desalination plant as a possible solution
Recently, the hoteliers of Lloret de Mar have announced the purchase of a desalination plant to be able to fill their swimming pools and guarantee water during the tourist season.
However, the current drought plan does not consider this option and only allows the use of non-potable seawater, with some exceptions.
The Minister for Climate Action has pointed out that the viability of this option will depend on the technical conditions of the desalination plant project.
conclusion
The emergency situation due to the drought in Catalonia is generating restrictions and prohibitions, especially in the refilling of swimming pools. The Government is working on alternative solutions, such as the possibility of using municipal swimming pools as a climate shelter. However, the use of desalination plants to fill swimming pools is not permitted under the current drought plan.