The Catalan authorities are launching a large-scale program to ensure uninterrupted water supply in case of emergency power outages or other crises. The new plan, being developed by the Agència Catalana de l’Aigua (ACA), provides for the creation of reserves and infrastructure so that residents of the region can rely on at least 24 hours of water supply even in the event of a complete power shutdown.
The impetus for these measures was an incident a year ago, when around 400,000 people in the Barcelona metropolitan area were left without water due to a 12-hour power outage. According to Silvia Paneque, who is responsible for territory, housing, and ecological transition in the Catalan government, the goal is to prevent such situations from recurring and to ensure the stability of vital services. To achieve this, the plan includes regulating network pressure, using mobile generators, and building additional water storage tanks.
Backup capacities and protocols
ACA Director Josep Lluís Armenter believes that 24 hours is the minimum standard that should be guaranteed in every municipality. He notes that this requires autonomous power systems so that, even during major failures, water supply and purification do not stop. An important part of the strategy will be improving communication between services and operators, as well as a clear understanding of the logistics for delivering fuel to generators.
The head of the ACA administration, Daniel Meroño, adds that the agency has already developed six response protocols for different types of threats: from loss of communication and transport disruptions to power outages and the evacuation of work centers. As part of the analysis, 47 risk categories were examined to build an effective response and communication system in crisis situations.
Investments and priority facilities
In the coming years, ACA plans to invest about 6.8 million euros in equipping key wastewater treatment plants — such as EDAR in Abrera, Caldes de Montbui, Granollers, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, and Vic — with backup generators and fuel storage facilities. These sites consume nearly 97,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually and are considered critical for the region.
Additionally, investments are planned for secure communications through the Xarxa RESCAT network. €20,000 has been allocated for the purchase of new terminals, and annual maintenance will cost a further €60,000. After the modernization is completed, ACA will have 135 state-of-the-art emergency communication devices.
Focus on autonomy and renewable energy
As part of the new strategy, particular attention is given to developing in-house energy generation. Solar power plants with a total capacity of 12.4 megawatts are already operating at 221 treatment facilities, producing around 14 gigawatt-hours annually. Authorities emphasize that these sites must remain operational even in crisis conditions.
Alongside water infrastructure, other social initiatives are also being implemented in Catalonia. For example, regional authorities recently launched automatic payments for families awaiting care assistance, which is also linked to strengthening resilience in unforeseen situations. More information on the new payments and changes for residents of the region can be found in the article about the launch of automatic compensations for families in need.
