Spanish drought intensifies

INTRO: Emergency water supplies arrive in the Spanish port of Barcelona which is grappling with a severe drought.

MOREINFO: Reservoirs in the region are only 25 percent full ahead of what's expected to be a blazing hot summer. And without rainfall in the weeks ahead, there are fears the city could endure its first cut in domestic water supplies in more than half a century. Darcy Lambton reports.

SCRIPT:

A tanker vessel arrives in the parched Spanish port of Barcelona.

On board, 19 thousand tonnes of desperately needed fresh water.

(And further shipment are due ... coming weeks.)

Like other parts of Spain, the top tourist destination is enduring chronic drought.

Public fountains are empty and beach showers have been switched off.

And without significant rainfall, locals face a summer threat of supply cuts.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL RESIDENT, LUIS MARTINEZ, SAYING:

"No, I hadn't seen anything like this in many many years, I actually think it's the first time. But I find perfectly understandable that we have to save water and I think the public is aware and contributing."

Tough times have called for tough measures.

Residents risk big fines for watering gardens or filling up swimming pools.

But some are learning to adapt

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HOMEOWNER AFFECTED BY DROUGHT, SANDRA TAMBORERO, SAYING:

"The water restrictions forced us to switch from natural to artificial grass. It's more expensive but at least we can keep it as it doesn't need watering (and fines go from 300 to 3000 euro, so we can't risk being caught.) With the swimming pool same story, we can't empty it as we normally do each year because we are banned from filling it up."

To solve the crisis, shipping in water is only a temporary measure.

This construction project is considered a longer term solution.

Once finished it will be Europe's largest desalination plant producing 60 million cubic meters of drinkable water per year.

That's enough to meet an estimated twenty percent of Barcelona's needs.

The plant is one of several planned or being built in Spain.

And it's taste of what's to come elsewhere in the Mediterranean.

Water experts say more will be needed to offset the impact of global warming.

Darcy Lambton, Reuters.

blazing - shining intensely; "the blazing sun"; "blinding headlights"; "dazzling snow"; "fulgent patterns of sunlight"; "the glaring sun"
due - Expected or scheduled, especially appointed to arrive: Their plane is due in 15 minutes.
offset - To counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for: fringe benefits designed to offset low salaries.