Record supply from local sources

A record 36.1% of the water consumed in Reus between January and June 2025 came from municipal wells and water mines. This is the highest proportion from local sources since Aigües de Reus became a municipal company in 1990, driven by heavy rainfall at the start of the year and years of investment in local water infrastructure. During this period, 1,234,783 cubic metres of water were drawn from wells and mines. This far exceeds the 825,273 cubic metres drawn from these sources in the whole of 2025, and nearly triples the totals from the drought-affected years of 2023 and 2024, when annual extraction did not reach 500,000 cubic metres.

Dependence on climate

Despite the current high yield, water from mines and wells is highly sensitive to drought. These sources are directly affected by rainfall patterns, making them unreliable during dry periods. Officials expect the proportion to decline in the second half of the year unless further rain occurs.

"This has been a year with good rainfall, and we’ve moved past the drought, but we’re also better prepared thanks to the investments we’ve made to make the most of our local water,"

said Daniel Rubio, councillor responsible for the water service.

Infrastructure drives recovery

Aigües de Reus has prioritised projects to maximise local water use, including the restoration of the Fortuny and Almoster mines and several wells. The Fortuny mine was connected to the supply network in 2024 after construction of a treatment plant, funded in part by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), at a cost of €498,674. Once operational, the Fortuny project is expected to add over 200,000 cubic metres of potable water annually in average hydrological years. Water will be treated using reverse osmosis to remove nitrates and other contaminants. The project also includes a secondary network for non-potable water, used for irrigation in public spaces including Parc dels Capellans, the Camí del Riudoms, and the municipal swimming pools. Other recovered sources include:

  • The Bellisens wells, capable of supplying up to 1,200 cubic metres per hour.
  • The Mas Miarnau well, dating from 1933, now used for urban irrigation and supply.
  • The Almoster mine, reconnected via the Passeig de la Boca de la Mina upgrade, supplying water to green spaces such as Parc Agrari and Parc de les Olors.
  • Three new wells at Reus Airport, nearing completion.
  • Several wells in the Agro-Reus industrial park, feeding a secondary non-potable network for municipal and industrial use.

Historical roots and future resilience

Water mining in Reus dates back centuries. As early as 1820, physician Jaume Josep Ardèvol praised the engineering skill of Reus residents in tapping underground sources, calling it a tradition unmatched in much of Catalonia. Today, these ancient systems are being revived not just for drinking water but for urban irrigation and circular economy uses. The Mas Beltran mine, restored at a cost of €101,648, now supplies non-potable water to 21 urban gardens on Carrer d’Astorga, part of the RENATUReus initiative to enhance green infrastructure. The city aims to reduce dependence on external sources such as the Ebre River and the Siurana-Riudecanyes system. During the recent drought, Reus drew over 90% of its water from the Ebre, approaching its annual allocation of 6.9 million cubic metres. Normal usage is around 55–60% from the Ebre, 30–35% from Siurana-Riudecanyes, and 10–15% from local wells and mines. The current shift underscores both vulnerability and adaptation. The ongoing investment programme, budgeted at €2.5 million for 2024–2025, aims to maximise every drop of local water, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals and the city’s municipal action plan.

Reported by reusdigital.cat, A. Castelló, diarimes.com, diaridetarragona.com, lavanguardia.com, S. Pérez, Redacció, Eric Mendo.