In Spain, a years-long drought is pitting locals against the tourism industry

DON GONYEA, HOST:

The Spanish region of Catalonia and its capital, Barcelona, are facing one of the worst droughts in recorded history. Reporter Marta Martinez says it’s pitting farmers and locals against the region’s huge tourism industry.

(SOUNDBITE OF WAVES CRASHING)

MARTA MARTINEZ, BYLINE: It’s mid-February and unseasonably warm. I’m at Barceloneta Beach, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Barcelona. It’s about 63 degrees right now. It’s cloudy, but there’s no sign of rain.

Even though it’s still winter, water reserves in Catalonia are at 16% of capacity. It’s the most serious drought the region has experienced in over a century. That has led the Catalan government to implement emergency measures limiting water use, like the showers on Barceloneta Beach.

(SOUNDBITE OF METAL CLICKING)

MARTINEZ: They’ve been shut down.

David Sauri is a doctor in geography and coordinator of the water, territory and sustainability research group at…