Prolonged drought in Spain forces residents and tourists to queue for drinking water

(Patria) - Prolonged drought continues to plague parts of Spain, forcing residents and tourists to queue for drinking water.

As reservoir water levels have dropped, salinity has increased, leading authorities in the Costa Brava region to declare that tap water is unsafe to drink.

Climate change and mass tourism exacerbate water problems year after year, with water consumption in some areas increasing almost tenfold in the summer compared to the winter.

- We cannot use the water, we cannot drink it or cook with it, nor brush our teeth with it. We cannot make coffee. Yes, it's bad - says Elly, a tourist from England.

Joan Sala, a representative of an environmental protection association, points out that there has been very little rainfall in the past two years.

- Last year, we had less than half the average rainfall. This year, we have barely 10% of the rainfall. If climate change means warmer temperatures and less rain, then we are already entering a climate emergency - Sala emphasizes.