Author: Bob Cartwright
Barcelona is so short of water that a tanker has been used to ship in drinkable water to the drought-striken city. The Sichem Defender has sailed from Tarragona with 5 million gallons of water, roughly a day's supply for 170,000 people. Many more ships will be needed if the Barcelona region's 5 million population, plus millions of visitors, are to be kept supplied.
There are plans for 65 monthly tanker deliveries as the long dry summer weather gets under way. Barcelona and the Catalan region is facing its worst drought in decades. A plan to channel water to the region from the River Ebro has also been approved by the Spanish parliament. A desalination plant is also under construction and is due to be completed this month.
There was some relief last weekend with heavy rain but even that downpour has only lifted reserves of water to about 27%. Barcelona's fountains and beach showers have already been turned off and large swimming pools are not being filled.