Wells and water galleries within Reus supplied 36.1% of the water consumed in the city between January and June 2026, according to Aigües de Reus, the municipal water company. The six-month share is the highest recorded since the company was established in 1990.

For residents, the increased use of local sources reduces the city’s reliance on water brought in through the Riudecanyes–Siurana system and the Ebre supply. Aigües de Reus attributes the result to heavy rainfall early in 2026, which recharged aquifers and water galleries, and to work to restore and connect local infrastructure.

“We have left the drought behind and, after the investments we have made, we are now better prepared to make better use of this water from wells and galleries.”Daniel Rubio, councillor responsible for the service

Restored wells and galleries added to the network

Aigües de Reus has brought several local sources into the supply network for drinking water and non-drinking uses. The latter include watering parks and gardens, urban allotments, and filling and maintaining municipal swimming pools.

  • the water gallery in the Fortuny neighbourhood;
  • the former Almoster water gallery;
  • wells at Bellissens, Mas Miarnau, Agro-Reus and Reus Airport.

Official company plans published in 2024 set aside €5 million for works including reopening disused wells, diversifying supply sources, increasing the reuse of non-drinking water and treating water from some wells. The plan also included work at the Fortuny gallery, airport wells, Bellissens wells and the Agro-Reus industrial estate.

Earlier restoration work was intended to reduce dependence on the Riudecanyes–Siurana system and Ebre water, according to Aigües de Reus’s 2024 investment plan.

Rainfall will determine the second half of 2026

Aigües de Reus said wells, and particularly water galleries, remain highly dependent on weather conditions. It expects the proportion supplied by these sources to fall in the second half of 2026 if there are no further periods of rain, as they are among the first supplies affected during drought.

Reported by A. Castelló, aiguesdereus.cat, DiariTots21, Sergio Lahoz Dorante, Adrià Torres, diaridetarragona.com, lavanguardia.com, Eric Mendo, diarimes.com, Redacció, reusdigital.cat.