FC Barcelona to increase water saving measures in emergency phase 1 decreed by Government

FC Barcelona have put into the place the requisite measures to adapt to emergency phase 1 of the drought decreed by the Generalitat, the Catalan Goverment. Optimisation of resources, in this case water, is one of the cornerstones of the Club's commitment to sustainability and the 2025 Strategic Plan. Since 2021, FC Barcelona have managed to reduce water consumption by 38% per visitor at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper due to the implementation of intelligent systems of watering and water-saving at the facilities as well adapting to low consumption 65% of the 1,991 devices that need water. 

Regarding adapting to water conservation measures in emergency phase 1 of the drought decreed by the government, FC Barcelona is implementing the necessary steps to reduce the use of groundwater and will invest more than 2 million euros in the use of recycled water for its watering systems and to further its objective of becoming self-sufficient. These measures will mean a 30% reduction in drinking water. Following on, and with the aim of being prepared for future droughts similar to the current situation, the Club is committed to reducing by 50% the consumption of groundwater in 2024. 

For years now, waste water from osmosis treatment had been reused for watering artificial pitches for training and matches to reduce the consumption of normal water. Nevertheless, since April 2023, the artificial pitches are no longer watered for training sessions. At the moment, and given the current situation, only the natural grass pitches for the men's and women's first teams and Barça Atlètic are watered. On match days artificial pitches are not watered and natural grass pitches are watered only once instead of three times an hour before for games involving the men's and women's first teams and Barça Atlètic. 

It is worth noting that the regeneration planned for the end of the 2023/24 season will be less intense and focused on the areas that most need it. Also, all aspects related to gardening will have only survival watering. 

The Club is working on efficient use of its materials, reduction of energy consumption and waste and the recycling of materials, an example of which is the recycling of concrete and steel in the Espai Barça building work and a 50% carbon footprint reduction that also brings water saving. 

Commitment to the application of all measures to save water 

Emergency phase 1 of the fight against drought decreed by the Generalitat affects 239 municipalities in 16 Catalan regions. On the list is Barcelona and the surrounding metropolitan area, which includes FC Barcelona and the various uses of water used at its facilities on a daily basis. The Club is committed to applying all the water conservation measures stipulated in the emergency, without having a negative effect on the daily activity of its teams and facilities, and improving the efficiency of its use of water resources to allow the greatest savings possible.