The lack of rain leads to a reduction in the water supply in many municipalities in our territory. These restrictions directly affect agriculture and, consequently, livestock farming. The increase in production costs and the loss of crops due to lack of water have a significant impact on the rise in inflation. Sílvia Garriga, 11Onze agent, explains it to us.

Global warming caused by human activity has exacerbated drought, an endemic problem in Mediterranean countries. A fact that is evident in the state of water reserves in aquifers and reservoirs in our territory. Catalonia has accumulated months of drought and water reserves have fallen to 33%, almost half of last year’s reserves.

Rainfall and water reserves are vital for agricultural production and have a direct impact on the prices we pay for products in the supermarket. This link between drought and inflation is not always obvious. As Garriga points out, “many of us have not been aware of the drought-induced increases in production costs“.

In addition to the rising costs of electricity, fuel, fertilisers, and animal feed, there is the loss of crops due to the lack of water, which leaves the agricultural sector with no profit margin. “If crops are lost due to the lack of water, demand does not decrease, and products have to be imported, which will end up being more expensive for the consumer,” explains Garriga.

More than 500 municipalities with water restrictions

Catalonia is suffering the worst drought since 2008 when water reserves in reservoirs and internal basins fell by up to 20%. Faced with this situation, the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) has been forced to decree a drought alert in several areas of the territory, approving limitations on water consumption in more than 500 municipalities.

In addition to the 301 that were already on alert, more than 100 municipalities in the regions of Alt Penedès, Anoia, Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Garraf, Maresme, Selva, Vallès Oriental and Vallès Occidental, which supply the Ter-Llobregat basin, and also those affected by the area of influence of the Darnius-Boadella reservoir, were added on Tuesday.

Although the situation is not expected to worsen so much as to reach exceptionality, at which point reserves fall below 25%, everything will depend on the rainfall that may fall during the remainder of the autumn. The long-term weather forecast maps suggest that, from November to January, there will be more rain than normal on the coast and in the counties of Girona, but less rain than usual in the western Pyrenees.

If you want to discover how to drink the best water, save money and help the planet, go to 11Onze Essentials.