Despite winter rains, Spain’s Andalusian cities, including Seville, Malaga and Cordoba, may face summer water shortages and restrictions unless there are “at least 30 days of rain in a row,” according to regional officials.
“We’re facing an extreme situation and it’s not about being alarming, but about being realistic,” regional President Juanma Moreno told reporters. “We all have to make an enormous effort to restrict water consumption.” Reservoir water levels are reported at 20% or lower across Andalusia.
A government decree, due on January 29, will detail the types of water restrictions that will be applied to the three cities. More than half of the region’s other municipalities already have some form of water restrictions in place, including reducing pressure at night and cutting use for pools, fountains and parks.
Spain has also made overtures to Portugal, asking for water from the Algarve region, over the border from Andalusia, but so far there are no serious discussions or agreements on that front.
Andalusia is not the only region with low water supply issues; Catalonia is also short of water and is discussing importing drinking water.
