For the project to mitigate leaks in the network and conserve water equivalent to 5,000 swimming pools, a fund of 100 million was approved for municipalities by the Barcelona Provincial Council. Thus, last Thursday, June 27, this plan, which will benefit the municipalities, was unanimously proposed. The objective is to improve the supply network until the year 2027.
This is a millionaire investment that will be used to solve and detect leaks, which is one of the most important problems in the localities. Especially in those small ones that have urbanizations. These have a more extensive orography that makes it necessary to have meters of network. To such an extent that it is estimated that losses exceed 25% of the municipal networks in Catalonia.
Project to mitigate leaks in the network includes renovation of pipelines
There are 310 municipalities affected; therefore, this plan includes the renovation of aging pipes or valves that are in poor condition to mechanisms. The objective is to take advantage of groundwater.
The changes that will be made will also make it possible to take advantage of groundwater. This is from the Provincial Council calculated that the investment will save 12.5 hm3 per year, equivalent to 5,000 Olympic swimming pools.
Commitment against the “climate fight
According to the president of the Provincial Council, Lluïsa Moret, the following: “It is an absolutely necessary plan that will substantially improve the network”. In addition, the mayoress of Sant Boi de Llobregat stressed that the institution is committed to the “Fight against climate emergency”.
He also pointed out that this is an institutional commitment, which means that this 100 million investment is in addition to that of other institutions. However, this water management is not only the responsibility of the Provincial Council, it also involves the Government of the country.
Improvements to the distribution network
It should also be noted that the provincial entity’s plan, which is compatible with others, will enable improvements to be made to the low-level distribution network, which is the part where the municipalities are responsible. On the other hand, the Generalitat increased in January to 200 million the amount of the program of assistance to local governments in the fight against drought.
According to Sergi Vallès, in the case of the aid from the Provincial Council, “the municipalities will already have the money, 75% this year and 25% next year”. In addition, Marc Serra, president of the Climate Action area, added that in the case of drought it should be addressed in the rainy season, scientifically it is proven that it is structural with the climate emergency.
Barcelona’s mayors received the news very well. José Ignacio Aparicio, celebrated the support of the Diputación and its willingness to work together to address a problem that harms the municipality as it is to renew an aging, insufficient and discalibrated water network.
