AGULLANA, Spain - Artur Duran, 79, gestures with his hand at his waist to illustrate the water level he vividly recalls from two years ago at the Darnius Boadella reservoir in northeastern Spain. Back then, the reservoir's depth was sufficient for sailing. However, a prolonged drought has taken its toll, leaving the reservoir nearly empty at just 20% of its capacity.

In contrast to its past state, the reservoir's exposed shoreline has now become a spot for sunbathing, with small patches of grass sprouting in the dry bed. Some visitors even attempted paddle-surfing in the dwindling waters.

Responding to the dire situation, authorities in Catalonia recently introduced fresh water usage restrictions for 22 nearby villages. This step was taken due to the depletion of the aquifer that supplies water to these areas, exacerbating the scarcity.

Spain's meteorological records for the first four months of 2023 reveal an unprecedentedly dry beginning to the year, a trend that commenced in the 1960s. The impact has been particularly severe in Catalonia and the southern region of Andalusia.

The ongoing series of heatwaves experienced across Spain and the broader European region this summer has further compounded the water scarcity issue. As temperatures soar, reservoir levels continue to plummet due to increased water evaporation and consumption.

Ruben del Campo, spokesperson for Spain's meteorological agency AEMET, highlights that the cumulative effect of these heatwaves has been a significant driver behind the exacerbation of the drought conditions.

Facing a severe water crisis, the situation in the 24 villages across southern Catalonia, housing a collective population of approximately 25,000 inhabitants, has escalated to a state of water emergency.

This critical condition mandates an immediate reduction in water consumption, with a revised daily average of 200 liters per resident, down from the previous limit of 230 liters.

Presently, the focus remains on preserving water for human use; however, stringent measures are being enforced. Agricultural irrigation is set to be drastically curtailed, while a 25% reduction in water usage for industrial and recreational activities is required.

Among these affected villages is Agullana, home to 900 residents, which has been diligently adhering to the 200-liter allocation for several months.

Despite these efforts, the village is compelled to take even more stringent measures. The forthcoming steps encompass the complete cessation of garden irrigation, maintenance of the football field, and upkeep of the poolside grass – all of which are expected to visibly suffer. In an endeavor to conserve water, traditional methods like dry sweeping will replace water-based street cleaning practices.

The gravity of the water shortage is prompting these communities to adopt increasingly stringent conservation strategies, with the hope of navigating this dire situation while ensuring essential human needs are met.