Viña y Rosales Blog

name of author: Maryet y Raúl

Water !

Just washed my hands and let the water run until really cold, a bad habit. During teeth brushing I close the tab, a rather good habit. The toilet I flush with the economical button. Showering is a water consuming business each day. Better shower once in two days, briefly. Not so much for pleasure, only for hygiene.

Water !

It didn't rain properly for six months and we might as well say: it didn't rain since May last year (2004). The land is dry, grass is golden like straw, trees droop with yellow leaves; Shepards complain, there is not enough to eat for the sheep and goats.

We may not barbecue in the open air. Fatal forest fires have raged through thousands of parched acres. The heat wave in much of southern Europe has put hospitals and emergency-care workers on alert.

Water !

Spain is suffering its worst drought in more than half a century. Rivers are withering, vital crops have been scorched to death, and drinking water is being rationed just as the country hits its peak tourist season. With poor water management the norm, the crisis is only going to worsen, experts and officials warn.

"It is very probable that next year will also be a dry year," Environment Minister Cristina Narbona said. "A new drought cycle [of several years] could be starting."

Agricultural losses have been put at nearly $2 billion, at least a quarter of that in the southern Andalusia region, where Spain's olive groves are starting to suffer the same devastation that has so far caused the loss of tons of wheat, barley, sugar beets and other vegetables.

Cows and sheep are also threatened, farm unions say, as are wild animals. Flamingos, storks, boars and the endangered Iberian lynx in Spain's Donana and other national parks are said to be suffering from serious dehydration, which could interfere with their reproductive and migratory habits.

This winter registered the lowest rainfall since 1947, when records were first kept, the Spanish National Meteorological Institute says. In the driest parts, such as Andalusia and the rural western region of Extremadura, rainfall was less than half of normal.

Spain's water shortages are also a function of pricing.

"Wasting water is cheap," said Julio Barea of Spanish Greenpeace. "Nobody would leave a light on [in Spain] because electricity is expensive. But few care if they leave a hose running."

Many farmers still irrigate by flooding their orchards and fields. Recycling and conservation are rare.

Seven of Spain's 17 provinces have closed or restricted swimming pools, fountains and the watering of public and private gardens and yards this summer. Madrid's residents were appalled recently to learn that the city was using drinking water on the greens of its parks. After a newspaper expose, officials said the practice had been halted.

Farms, not individual households, use most of Spain's water. By most estimates, agriculture accounts for at least 75% of water use, but only a small fraction of the GDP.

To fight the drought, Narbona has set aside $400 million for 20 new desalination plants, emergency wells and more recycling. - from: Latimes.com

Sunday afternoon, suddenly it's raining cats and dogs. Flower pots are flooded, garden cushions drenched, the streets are swollen with water that pushes itself underneath our front door. Water finds its way into the hallway.

No problem ! We dance in the rain, because when will be the next time !?!