Galicia activates severe water scarcity alerts due to drought

Severe drought conditions have triggered official water scarcity alerts across several regions in Galicia, Spain. Augas de Galicia has activated a high-level alert for the Baiona supply subsystem, as well as the Lérez and Anllóns river basins, following a rapid decline in river flows and reservoir levels throughout July and August.

In the Pontevedra estuary area, municipalities including Poio, Marín, and Sanxenxo are facing critical shortages. Local officials have warned that if rainfall does not occur soon, authorities may have to implement more drastic measures, including potential water cuts. Current restrictions already prohibit the use of potable water for non-essential activities such as filling swimming pools, washing cars, or watering gardens.

The crisis has also reignited political debates regarding the management of the Lérez River. While the regional government (Xunta) has pushed for the creation of a supramunicipal association to manage water supplies collectively, discussions are stalled by disagreements over the cost per cubic meter of water for the participating municipalities.