Catalonia water network engineers have unveiled an ambitious €600 million plan to create interconnected water corridors spanning from the Ebro to the Muga rivers.
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The proposal comes despite recent relief from severe drought conditions that plagued the region for three years, with reservoir levels now recovered and emergency restrictions lifted.
Catalonia Water Network: A Bidirectional Solution
The Water Observatory of Catalonia, representing multiple engineering and economic professional bodies, presented their flagship project this Thursday.
Furthermore, they advocate for creating a flexible, bidirectional network that can redistribute water resources according to population, industrial and agricultural needs across different territories. “It’s about having a flexible network, providing water when needed to territories that require it,” explained Pere Calvet, dean of the College of Civil Engineers.
The proposed system would not involve permanent water transfers but rather function as a reversible support mechanism for all points across the territory. Consequently, this approach would enable rapid response to future hydrological emergencies while reinforcing what engineers call “water solidarity between territories.”
Three Key Connections Proposed
The Observatory prioritizes three main actions to serve as the backbone of the future Catalan water corridor. The first connection would link the Tarragona Water Consortium with the Ter-Llobregat system, featuring a maximum flow capacity of 1.5 m³/s. This connection would pivot around developing the Cunit desalination plant, thereby reducing Tarragona’s dependence on the Ebro River.
Meanwhile, the second proposed link, called the northern branch, would guarantee supply to Girona’s regions, the Fluvià and Muga areas. These regions are projected to suffer most from future droughts according to Meteorological Service forecasts. During recent drought episodes, the Sau-Susqueda-Pasteral system reached critical minimums with no alternative drinking water source available.
The third connection, still under study, would modernize the Urgell canal to establish a link with Lleida. This would allow using hydrological surpluses or irrigation water from Lleida lands as strategic emergency reserves for drought-risk areas across the country.
Desalination Plants Critical to Success
Desalination plant construction represents a determining factor in these projections, providing system flexibility and enabling truly bidirectional connections. The Catalan Government has commissioned state-owned company Acuamed to expand the Tordera plant, though it won’t be operational until 2030.
Additionally, the Foix desalination plant approval remains pending, potentially becoming operational by 2031. The Observatory warns that delegating works to Madrid could cause administrative delays, urging strengthened local executive capacity for future projects. As recent funding initiatives demonstrate, local resource management continues evolving to address regional challenges.
According to the original documentation, engineers emphasize that now represents the ideal time to plan long-term water infrastructure. Carles Conill, president of the CECCP Water Commission, stated: “Now that we don’t have the emergency upon us and short-to-medium term actions are focused, it’s time to consider the high-level network with a 2050 vision prioritizing sustainability criteria.”
The comprehensive Catalonia water network plan addresses both immediate infrastructure needs and long-term climate resilience. Therefore, this strategic approach could fundamentally transform how the region manages its most precious resource during increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
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