Guaranteeing the drinking water supply and the proper operation of wastewater systems is key to the well-being of the population and the protection of the environment. In this context, the Government of Catalonia is working on a specific plan to secure the operation of the integrated water cycle in the event of power blackouts, a risk that is increasingly present in a setting marked by climate change and the energy dependence of infrastructure.
The Catalan government wants to get ahead of emergency situations that could compromise essential services such as water supply and sanitation. Paneque: «Hem volgut convertir allò que era … – Govern.cat
A real risk to an essential service
Water cycle infrastructure —abstraction points, drinking water treatment plants (ETAP), wastewater treatment plants (EDAR), pumping stations and distribution networks— depends critically on the electricity supply. A prolonged interruption can directly affect the production and distribution of drinking water, sanitation, public health safety and environmental quality.
In this respect, the role of the Agència Catalana de l'Aigua (ACA, the Catalan Water Agency) is key, as it is the body responsible for the planning, management and protection of the water cycle in Catalonia.
Objectives of the plan: resilience and service continuity
The main objective of the plan being prepared by the Catalan government is to guarantee continuity of the water service in the event of power blackouts, identifying critical infrastructure and improving response capacity in emergency situations.
This strategy is aligned with Catalonia's water planning instruments, which incorporate prevention, adaptation and risk management criteria.
Key measures: back-up power and coordination
The main lines of action under consideration include:
- Alternative power supply systems, such as generator sets or energy storage solutions, to keep critical facilities running.
- Identification and prioritisation of strategic infrastructure, especially that serving large population centres or sensitive facilities.
- Action and coordination protocols between administrations, water operators and emergency services.
Here, coordination with Catalonia's Civil Protection service is essential to ensure a rapid, efficient response to incidents affecting essential services.
Water, energy and emergencies: an integrated view
The plan also forms part of a broader risk management approach, similar to that of other special emergency plans such as INUNCAT (Catalonia's flood emergency plan), which addresses flood episodes and their impact on critical infrastructure.
In addition, safeguarding the water cycle is closely linked to energy security. In this respect, the Institut Català d'Energia (ICAEN, the Catalan Energy Institute) plays a relevant role in defining strategies to strengthen the resilience of essential infrastructure.
A challenge aligned with climate change
Initiatives of this kind respond to the challenges arising from climate change, such as the increase in extreme events, the pressure on water resources and the need to guarantee basic services in any scenario. The Catalan government's climate policies point in this direction, integrating water, energy and land.
The role of technology and engineering
From a technical point of view, planning for power blackouts highlights the importance of modernising facilities, digitalisation, real-time monitoring and the incorporation of flexible solutions that allow adaptation to emergency situations.
In this context, the water sector —with the support of specialist bodies and engineering firms— has a key role in supporting administrations in the continuous improvement of the resilience of the integrated water cycle.
auma's commitment to the resilience of the water cycle
At auma, we share the importance of moving towards infrastructure that is more resilient, safer and better prepared for emergency scenarios. Planning for possible power blackouts highlights the need to integrate technical, environmental and energy criteria into water management.
In this context, auma auma supports administrations and operators in risk analysis, strategic planning and the development of solutions that help guarantee the continuity of essential services and the protection of the environment.