Can I drink tap water in Barcelona?
When you first arrive in Barcelona, you have a lot on your mind. The last thing you want to worry about is your tap water (agua del grifo), so have no fear. We can help answer some of your most pressing questions about Barcelona’s water so you know what to expect before arrival. If you are already in Barcelona, this guide can also help address anything you already noticed during your time here.
Tap water in Barcelona
Where does Barcelona's water come from?
Water has been a scarce resource in Barcelona for hundreds of years. People got their water from public fountains and communal wells, and you may still see reminders of this time when you look at the many water towers around Barcelona.
Up until 1986, when Spain joined the European Union, the country had a bad reputation for its poor tap water quality. After joining the EU, Spain received billions of euros to invest in its water infrastructure. Now, it has one of the most advanced water systems in the world.
Barcelona has two main sources where it gets its water: rivers and the Mediterranean Sea. The primary river Barcelona uses for its water supply is the Llobregat River, which flows into the Mediterranean south of the city. All of the water goes through an intense sanitation and de-salting process before it makes its way throughout the city for public use.
Spain’s investment in water infrastructure did not begin until the 1980s, however, Spain built dams and systems in the 50’s to try to make water shortages less common. There are now 1,200 artificial dams and reservoirs throughout the country, which is more than anywhere else in Europe. The Llobregat water plant that is now so important for finding drinking water was built in 2009 but was barely used until April 2021.
Barcelona’s drinking water comes primarily from rivers, and wells were the second most common source. Water from the water plant provided just 3% of the drinking water supply. Now, the plant is the source of one-third of Barcelona’s drinking water, wells are still the second most common source but have decreased in use, and rivers are the smallest source.
Is the tap water in Barcelona safe to drink?
Yes! Barcelona has some of the highest quality drinking water in the world. The Ministerio de Sanidad assess all of Spain’s drinking water, and the agency has determined that tap water in Barcelona is safe to drink unfiltered, according to EU and World Health Organisation standards.
This means you can drink the water out of your home tap, but what about public tap water? On hikes and walks through parks, you will notice drinking fountains scattered around public spaces. This water is also safe to drink, and often you will find taps for dogs, as well, so the whole family can enjoy the public drinking fountains! There is even an app to help you find fountains close to you: Fonts BCN.
Despite being completely safe to drink, Barcelona’s water does have an unpleasant taste and smell for some people, especially if you are used to water in other countries.
Chlorine
The chlorine in the water is the main reason for the distinct taste of tap water in Barcelona. In order to filter out the salt, dirt and microorganisms from the water, chlorine gets put into the water. It is safe to drink, but can create a strong, unpleasant taste.
Minerals
Besides chlorine, there are also high levels of minerals like potassium and magnesium in the water because of the water’s journey before it gets to your sink. The water passes through rocks in rivers that are very high in these minerals.
Although you may not have known about these minerals before, your hair and skin have likely noticed. The high mineral content in Barcelona’s water makes the water very hard, which is why many people struggle with hair and skin problems, including dryness, when they arrive in Barcelona. Hard water also makes it harder for your laundry detergent to clean clothes, so you may have to use more soap than you are used to.
Contaminants
Microplastics are found in 80% of all the tap water in Europe, and Barcelona is no exception. The water sanitisation system does filter out microplastics and any sediment, but as more plastic and rubbish flows into the world’s major water sources, the problem of microplastic contamination will continue.
Pipe contaminations are also a concern for many people because the pipes in Barcelona can be old, so it is important to make sure the pipes are regularly checked in your building.
What are the alternatives to tap water in Barcelona?
If the taste of tap water in Barcelona is a barrier for you, there are plenty of alternative options in the city.
Bottled water
Supermarkets and convenience stores sell bottled water for under a euro to a few euros per bottle, depending on the area and the size of the bottle (tourist areas will generally charge more for bottled water).
Although this is a convenient option, it can get very expensive. Bottled water has also been shown to contain microplastics and buying disposable bottles is not environmentally friendly.
External water filters
There are water filter pitchers (jarra) that filter the water as you pour, which can cost 15-25 euros for the pitcher and under 10 euros for each filter replacement, which are cheaper when bought in bulk. One of the most well-known brands in Spain is Brita.
There are also water delivery services that deliver jugs of filtered mineral water to your home or business in the form of individual bottles or as a jug that attaches to a water dispenser. This can cost around 20-30 euros per month, depending on the amount of water and the individual delivery service’s fees.
Sink filters
A less portable option is a filter that attaches to the faucet itself, filtering out chemicals as the water runs out of the sink head. These cost between 50-100 euros, which is a recurring cost in order to replace the filter head for proper maintenance.
Gravity water filters
Gravity water filters sit on your kitchen counter and come in various sizes, costing between 100-200 euros depending on the water capacity. These filters remove parasites, bacteria, pesticides, soap and chlorine from the water. They can also reduce metals (including lead, aluminum, iron), and pharmaceuticals by up to 81%.
Water shortages in Barcelona: What’s happening now?
Barcelona and Catalonia faced the worst drought in a century. By the 1st of February 2024, the region entered an emergency stage due to critically low reservoir levels, especially in the Ter‑Llobregat system that supplies around 6 million people.
As of April–May 2025, water restrictions have been lifted across most of Catalonia. Reservoirs in the Ter‑Llobregat system recovered to around 64 % capacity, surpassing the 60 % threshold needed to exit drought emergency. This means activities like swimming pools and ornamental fountains in Barcelona (e.g. Montjuïc fountain) can resume operation. That said, desalination plants are still running at around 90 % capacity, ensuring continued supply and aquifer recharge.
Why was there a water shortage?
Despite Barcelona’s reputation for having one of the most advanced water treatment and desalination systems in Europe, the region remains vulnerable to long periods of drought. The recent crisis was driven by a combination of climate change, shifting rainfall patterns, and structural pressures on Spain’s water system.
Barcelona experienced the urban impact of the drought: strict personal water limits, restrictions on recreational water use, and heavy conservation efforts across public services.
What is the Government doing to secure the water supply?
Although the immediate crisis has eased, the Catalan government and the Barcelona City Council are doubling down on water resilience…
Desalination continues to play a vital role. Plants along the coast, including floating desalination units deployed near Barcelona and the Costa Brava, are still running at nearly 90% capacity. These systems, which convert seawater into drinkable water, now account for a meaningful share of the city’s daily water supply. Some of these mobile desalination units were originally meant to be temporary, but with climate volatility becoming the norm, they’re likely to remain in place as a permanent buffer.
The Catalan Water Agency is pressing ahead with a multi-year investment plan. The agency is receiving €2.5 billion in funding through 2027 to increase water production, expand treatment capacity, and improve reuse systems. In 2025 alone, over €100 million is being allocated for immediate upgrades, including new wells, expanded filtration systems, and the integration of regenerated water for non-drinking purposes.
At the municipal level, Barcelona’s Climate Emergency Declaration continues to guide long-term water policy. The focus is not just on supply but also on sustainability: using alternative sources, protecting water quality, and ensuring that urban design adapts to a future of both drought and flood risk.
What does this mean for residents?
During the emergency phase declared in February 2024, residents of Barcelona faced significant restrictions. Water usage was capped at 200l per person per day, a limit that included not just personal consumption but also public services like street cleaning and park maintenance. Non-essential water use, including filling private pools or washing cars with hoses, was completely banned. Violations came with steep fines, and municipalities that exceeded usage quotas were also penalised.
As of mid-2025, these restrictions have been lifted across most of Catalonia, including Barcelona. Pools are being refilled, car washing is allowed once again, and the city’s decorative fountains are flowing once more. However, authorities continue to encourage residents and businesses to be mindful of water use, and contingency plans remain in place should conditions worsen again.
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