Barcelona Faces Shower Ban Amidst Spain's Worst Drought in Decades
Barcelona Football Club is grappling with the repercussions of recent water restrictions in the drought-stricken region of Catalonia, where the team is presently hosting home games. A setback comes in the form of a prohibition on player use of showers at both their current stadium, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, and their training facilities.
David Mascort, the Minister of Climate Action in Catalonia, emphasized that Barcelona must "compensate" for any additional water consumption during their tenure at the Olympic Stadium. This directive aligns with broader initiatives across Spain aimed at addressing an increasingly severe drought situation through sustainable water management.
Over the past year, rainfall has fallen approximately 17 percent below the 30-year national average. Consequently, reservoirs in severely affected regions such as Catalonia and Andalusia in southern Spain currently stand at a mere 15 percent of their capacity.
The imposition of a shower ban is a strategic move by authorities to encourage both football stars and fans to play their part in responding to this national climate emergency. However, with scorching summer temperatures on the horizon, it poses potential challenges for Barcelona's championship bid this season, making for uncomfortable situations both on and off the field.