Water Shortages: Spain

September 12th

Water Shortages: Spain

One of Spain’s worst droughts has caused a severe water shortage, especially in the region about Madrid. Spain has suffered a lack of rainfall for several weeks, which has resulted in a water shortage in several areas of the country.

Over the past six weeks, the drought has caused the reservoir levels to fall an average of 1.3 per cent per week, due to the insignificant amounts of rainfall. September 2005 was considered the worst year for rainfall since records began 147 years ago. This month, however, water levels have dropped below the September 2005 level. On the 12th September 2006, Spanish reservoirs stand at 39.5 per cent of their capacity.

Millions of people in the southern regions of Valencia and Murcia, have, until now, relied on water from Spain's longest river, the Tajo, for their main supply of water. However, the drought has meant that Tajo’s water level has dropped too low.

Another theory is that bad planning has resulted in such a serious water shortage. Some areas of the country, especially those that attract tourists, have not had any water restrictions imposed on them, which could be a factor that has contributed to the water shortage.

Spain is an MEDC, and so has the resources to provide aid should the drought be life threatening. However, the country is suffering the consequences of the drought. Some areas have been restricted as to how much water they can use in an attempt to conserve supplies. Water is vital to aid maize crops, as it is used to irrigate the crops. Water is being rationed in the south and the east of the country, the consequence of this being that Spain’s yield of maize could be considerably lower this year. In addition to this, Spain