JORDI CROS, CWP REPRESENTATIVE ON THE NATIONAL WATER BOARD

Last June 27, the National Water Table was held, which was held at the Palau de Pedralbes. The Honorable President of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, presided over this table together with the Minister for Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, Mr. David Mascort and Subiranas, and the secretary of Climate Action, Ms. Anna Barnadas The table has been organized to deal with the new normal that will be presented in Catalonia due to the severe drought that seems to have no end as a result of climate change. The work objective is to create a document that will be presented during the spring of 2023 and that will allow the establishment of a series of rules to encourage savings and efficiency in the different uses of water.

The composition of the National Water Board consists of a plenary formed by different working groups that will be made up of different entities and associations and that will be set up in sectoral commissions: urban water cycle, agriculture and livestock, industrial uses, research and innovation, energy, tourism, environment and biodiversity, recreational and sports uses. They will also be structured in territorial commissions: Alt Pirineu and Aran, Ponent, Terres de l’Ebre, Camp de Tarragona, Penedès and Central Comarques.

Among these entities and associations, the presence of the Catalan Water Partnership, represented by president Jordi Cros, should be highlighted, as from the cluster we will actively participate in the various working groups to contribute to the debate on water management. It is also worth noting the presence of two entities associated with the cluster: IRTA and ICRA.

At the event, a review was made of the measures that have been taken in recent months such as the investment of 2.4 billion euros in the internal basins for the period 2022-2027 with the aim of doubling the volume of regenerated water, the improvement in drinking water treatment and desalination stations, the opening of aid to promote the improvement of hydraulic cycle facilities in municipalities or investments to improve the efficiency of large irrigation canals of Catalonia. President Pere Aragonès highlighted the importance and significance of the project as “the basis for the future of the national water pact”.