Barcelona

The stoppage of all the ornamental fountains due to the drought has led them to deteriorate, especially the waterproofing of the basins. To deal with this situation and prepare the fountains for when they are allowed to reopen, a series of improvements and renovations have been planned with an investment of 7.7 million euros. The first set of actions aims to waterproof the basins and replace any parts that may have deteriorated during the drought. The amount earmarked to these jobs is 1.1 million euros. However, the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (PMI in Catalan), part of the Pla Endreça, also calls for different renovations and improvements on 78 ornamental fountains in order to optimise their functioning and water use.

The remodelling and refurbishment of the entire system that controls the Magic Fountain and the waterfalls on Avinguda Maria Cristina will equip the fountain with state-of-the-art technology designed with sustainability criteria. The lighting will be renewed to make it more energy efficient, with LED technology in all the fountain’s 4,760 spotlights. This will improve the experience of the shows while also making them more sustainable.

The last major action on the control system of the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc dates from the 1990s, and just like then, the current actions also seek to maintain the historical conditions of this infrastructure designed by Carles Buïgas for the 1929 International Exposition

As part of the Pla Endreça, 2.5 million euros are also allocated to improve drinking fountains. A total of 169 projects are planned to set apart the fountains’ water meters, which are now shared with the parks’ watering system. These actions are needed to improve the water availability and uses in the drinking fountains. Barcelona currently has 1,700 drinking fountains scattered around the streets, parks and square in all the districts.