The ice rink set up in Girona, Catalonia, for Christmas 2022 surpassed all predictions, drawing in more than 18,000 visitors. Consequently, the city's exhibition center intended to expand the current 800-square-meter ice surface by an additional 100 square meters this winter. On Wednesday, December 13, the local authorities eventually decided to cancel the whole event and, for the first time since 2006, refrain from organizing an activity that consumed too much water (48,000 liters). The decision was taken "out of a sense of responsibility" and "to set an example" in the face of the "current serious climate situation."

For more than three years – Catalan media and authorities have reported a total of 37 months – the northeastern Spanish region has been suffering from a rainfall deficit. In three years, it has rained 25% (500 millimeters) less than what it normally does. During the previous major drought, between 2005 and 2008, the deficit was just 350 millimeters, and drinking water had to be brought in by boat from Marseille to supply the city of Barcelona.

In mid-November, Sarai Sarroca, director of Catalonia's meteorological service, declared that "this is the most severe drought, in terms of its persistence and intensity, ever recorded in Catalonia […] the worst thing is that there is no sign of the situation reversing."

A month later, with no significant rainfall, the water deficit has only worsened. The region's reservoirs are at 17.7% of their capacity, an extreme and unprecedented low, even though nearly 45% of drinking water consumption depends on them. To not spoil the Christmas festivities too much, or in the hope of a miracle, the Catalan government has decided to wait until they fall below 16% before declaring a drought "emergency" situation. The regional executive will then have to take drastic measures to ensure drinking water supplies for the Barcelona metropolitan area and its 5.5 million inhabitants.

"If nothing changes – and forecasts are not good – an emergency will be declared in January," said David Mascort, regional minister for climate action, on December 12. Water allotments for agriculture – which consumes over 70% of the available water – will be reduced by 80%, compared with 40% at present, and by 50% for industry. Pressure in the distribution network will have to be lowered everywhere to reduce per capita consumption between 8% and 10%.

Fines have already been imposed on municipalities that have not complied with the maximum permitted water consumption level of 210 liters per capita per day. This will drop to 200 liters in phase one, and to 160 liters if phase three is activated. Watering of trees will be reserved for those suffering from dehydration stress.

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