in Seville, meters to track leaks, fraud and overconsumption

The drought, Seville knows well. In 1995, for example, there was such a lack of water that the evacuation of the city was seriously considered. Nearly thirty years later, by dint of raising awareness, the capital of Andalusia has reduced its water consumption to 112 liters per inhabitant per day and wants to reach 90 liters, whereas in France, we are almost currently close to 150 liters. How ? With a system of digital meters in houses and apartments, explains Jaime Palop, of the municipal water management company.

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The operation has been launched since the fall. The goal is to identify leaks, fraud and overconsumption. “We should be able to tell a family that is consuming water at two or three in the morning that they may need to change the seals in the toilet to prevent water loss. It can represent more than 10% of consumption, defends Jaime Palop. We can also point out to a family that they consume a lot of water when washing in the morning and that they have room to reduce this. To know is to be able to apply measures. If we don’t know, we can’t do anything.”. Here, it’s a question of survival, he says. Seville hopes that all housing in the city will be equipped within four years and 40% already by the end of this year alone. A total of 1.4 million people are affected.

Greenpeace Spain’s “yes but”

At Greenpeace Spain, which calls for saving water in Andalusia, the initiative is rather well received by activist Julio Barea. “It’s important that we save money. It’s true that, for example, we can improve a lot by fighting against water leaks. But we have to think about it because domestic water consumption is barely 10% of the water consumed in Spain. We must not forget that the lion’s share is not homes but agriculture.”

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Agriculture is indeed intensive in Spain. Irrigated, it pumps nearly 80% of water resources while Andalusia is already in “drought alert status”.