The Catalan Ombudsman, Esther Giménez-Salinas, has publicly commended the Martorell City Council for its decision to establish a 25-liter daily limit per person for collecting water from public fountains, a move that successfully balances resource management with social welfare.


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The resolution follows an intervention by the Síndic de Greuges de Catalunya, the independent institution responsible for defending the fundamental rights and public liberties of citizens. The Ombudsman’s office launched an investigation after learning the council intended to modify its local ordinance on citizen coexistence and the use of public spaces, which included new sanctions for taking water from municipal sources.

In a statement released Tuesday, Giménez-Salinas expressed concern that the initial proposal could disproportionately harm vulnerable individuals who lack reliable access to running water in their homes. For these residents, public fountains are not a convenience but a vital lifeline.

A Dialogue for a Fairer Policy

The Ombudsman’s office, acting on its own initiative, first requested that the city council in Martorell, a municipality in the Baix Llobregat comarca, reconsider the ordinance modification altogether. According to a report by El Periódico, when the council stood by its decision to regulate water collection, the Síndica proposed a compromise.

The recommendation was to ensure that, under no circumstances, would individuals be sanctioned for collecting quantities of water less than 25 liters per person per day. The Martorell City Council accepted this proposal, amending its ordinance to reflect the new limit.

With this adjustment, the Ombudsman’s office believes the universal right to access water is no longer at risk. Giménez-Salinas emphasized the fundamental principle at stake:

This stance aligns with internationally recognized humanitarian standards. The Ombudsman’s institution cited the criteria established by the Sphere Project, a global initiative that develops and promotes standards for humanitarian response. The Sphere Handbook specifies that a minimum of 15 liters of water per person per day is essential to maintain health, hygiene, and human dignity. It also notes that in average-income urban contexts, this amount can range up to 50 liters.

Setting a Standard for Water Access

Martorell’s new 25-liter limit falls squarely within these international guidelines, providing a sufficient amount for basic needs while still allowing the municipality to discourage excessive or commercial-scale collection from public sources. The agreement is seen as a model for how public administrations can create responsible policies that do not penalize poverty or vulnerability.

The role of the Catalan Ombudsman often involves mediating such disputes, ensuring that local and regional regulations respect the fundamental rights of all citizens, particularly the most marginalized. This case highlights the institution’s function as a crucial check on administrative power, safeguarding public access to essential resources.

By adopting the Ombudsman’s recommendation, the Martorell City Council has demonstrated a commitment to a rights-based approach to public resource management, setting a positive precedent for other municipalities across Catalonia facing similar challenges amid ongoing drought conditions and water scarcity concerns.

Primary source: El Periódico Barcelona.