Initiatives to Mitigate Flooding in Terres de l’Ebre
The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) and several municipalities in the region are implementing innovative projects to combat the devastating effects of heavy rainfall. Following the damage caused by Storm Alice in October last year, the construction of retention basins at strategic points has been accelerated, aiming to protect local communities.
In Santa Bàrbara, the Town Hall has reactivated a project that had been stalled since 2021. The basin, located in the Pelós ravine, aims to improve water evacuation and minimise the risks associated with flooding. This basin will occupy a plot of 6,430 square metres and will have significant dimensions: 100 metres long and 60 metres wide, with a depth reaching 3.75 metres.
Josep Lluís Gimeno, the mayor of the municipality, has expressed his confidence that the works will begin soon and be completed before autumn. With an estimated cost of 445,000 euros, the project will receive majority funding from the Catalan Government.
Although these measures do not guarantee the complete elimination of risk from extreme rainfall — which can exceed 400 litres per square metre — it is expected that they will significantly contribute to improving urban resilience. The mayor acknowledges that while these initiatives are crucial, it is necessary to continue working on complementary solutions to address severe climatic episodes.
Not only is Santa Bàrbara taking action; La Ràpita is also advancing its own projects to improve urban drainage. Recurring floods have led the Town Hall to seek effective solutions since 2024. In this regard, five projects funded by the ACA are being drafted, including the construction of another basin in the Solito ravine.
Marc Brunet, the councillor responsible for the economic and mobility area, has highlighted that this basin will allow for water retention and gradual release of its flow, which is essential to avoid sudden overflows.
With a total planned investment of 37.5 million euros for various structural actions over the next five years in the Terres de l’Ebre, each municipality is assessing its specific needs. The ACA is committed to studying solutions tailored to each particular case: from channeling to riprap or even mixed solutions.
As climatic conditions continue to change and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase, these initiatives not only represent an immediate response to existing problems but also a step towards a safer and more prepared future against climate change.
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