The drought of 2007-2008 in Barcelona: origins, management and conflicting views

Abstract

Intrinsic to the Mediterranean climate, droughts have significantly influenced the history of water supply in Barcelona. The last of these drought episodes (2007-2008) in particular highlighted two very different approaches to water management. On the one hand, the official position inspired by the principles of the New Water Culture and its critical stance against major hydraulic works. On the other hand, the arguments of the political opposition and some of the more important professional organizations, as well as economic and media forces in favor of these large infrastructural works. The article provides a critical interpretation of these positions, which are placed in the context of an urban environment characterized by a decrease in water consumption. The article finishes asking some questions about the viability of the current model of water supply of Barcelona (including desalination) regarding future drought episodes in which reductions in consumption will be increasingly difficult to meet.

Keywords: drought, water resources, water transfers, water consumption habits, Barcelona.