War of words over water in Spanish drought row
A ship carrying thousands of litres of drinking water has arrived in the drought stricken port of Barcelona - just as the heavens opened.
The delivery is part of an unprecedented emergency plan to alleviate demand for water after some of the driest winters and springs on record.
Last month Spain's central government agreed that a new temporary pipe could be built to transfer water from the Ebro River in Aragon to the Catalonian city.
But the move has sparked a so-called "water war" between areas with Aragon's regional president, who is keen to preserve the precious commodity, saying the work is now not necessary.
Admittedly reservoir levels have improved. March saw them drop to just 15 per cent of their capacity. With a recent increase in rainfall reservoirs are now up to 28 per cent.
But with the tourist season about the start, Barcelona is still set to receive 63 ship loads of water each month at a cost of 21 million euros.
