Tourists in Spain may soon encounter new water restrictions: Travel warning issued

The Spanish government is set to impose restrictions on water usage for tourists in certain regions this summer, as Northeast Catalonia faces a severe drought. The Catalan government is considering setting limits on the amount of water that can be used per holidaymaker staying in tourist accommodations.

With the dry summer season approaching, action must be taken quickly to conserve water. If domestic consumption is not brought under control, the driest regions may face restrictions. The water cap for tourists is expected to be set at the same level as the consumption of residents in Catalonia.

Previously, the Special Drought Plan only specified peak consumption allowances, but the proposed changes would limit tourists to 100 liters of water per day in hotels for activities like washing and drinking. These rules would only come into effect if an area exceeds domestic water use limits for three consecutive months under the current “drought emergency.”

Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain, uses 160 liters of water per resident per day, well below the current limit of 200 liters. The restrictions for tourists would not include water used to fill swimming pools.

The Catalan government has also relaxed rules on refilling swimming pools in severe drought conditions, allowing privately-owned pools to be refilled if declared a “climate refuge” for residents seeking relief from the heat. The water emergency in Catalonia was declared in February and continues despite some rainfall in March. Andalusia in Spain is also experiencing a drought due to warm summer conditions.