Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain – Operating seawater intrusion barrier

The main aquifer of the Llobregat Delta (Barcelona, Spain) is affected by seawater intrusion processes since the 1960s. One of the actions to promote artificial aquifer recharge has been the construction of a positive hydraulic barrier in order to limit the advance of the seawater intrusion. This is done by injecting reclaimed water in 14 wells located throughout the shoreline.  

The amount of water injected depends on the piezometric levels in the aquifer and has achieved a maximum of 10 million litres (2.6 million gallons) per day during the 2021-2024 drought.

Seawater intrusion in the Llobregat aquifer 

Location of the 14 injection wells, and building phases 

Video in Catalan, but with subtitles it’s easy to follow.