CABB
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NOS News•today, 14:03
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Rop Zoutberg
correspondent Spain
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Rop Zoutberg
correspondent Spain
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For the first time, the Spanish region of the Basque Country will deploy a tanker to bring water to drought-stricken areas. A Dutch tanker will supply a parched region northeast of the city of Bilbao with water.
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In this region, the pressure on the water supply network is already reduced at night to save water. The help of the Dutch tanker is now added to this. The intention is that the ‘Dutch Spirit’, whose home port is Dordrecht, will deliver 2300 cubic meters of water daily.
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The water company Aguas Balbao Bizkaia (CABB) speaks in a press release of a highly exceptional measure. “The water level has dropped due to the lack of rainfall. In addition, the current state of emergency is due to the persistent period of high temperatures.”
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The next few days will be used to coordinate the water supplies. After that, the Dutch tanker will sail daily between Bilbao and the port city of Bermeo. From there, the water continues to the other drought-stricken places. The ‘Dutch Spirit’ has a capacity of four thousand cubic meters.
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In total, 16 larger and smaller towns in Vizkaya province are supplied with drinking water:
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This Dutch ship supplies Spaniards with drinking water
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“It is one of the first times that we are using our ships to bring drinking water to a European region with water problems,” says Tim Schwasta of the German shipping company E&S Tankers, which leads the operations of the ‘Dutch Spirit’. “At least I can’t remember our company ever doing that.”
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Will happen more often
According to Schwasta, it is not a problem that the Dutch ship is normally used to transport chemicals. “The tanks are made of steel and have a special protective layer. In principle you can transport all kinds of liquids with them, including drinking water.”
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According to the spokesperson, the use of large tankers in areas with water shortages will become more common. “I hear about it more and more. We will do this more and more in Europe in the future.”
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In large parts of Spain it has been extremely dry for weeks and drinking water is rationed. It is remarkable that the drought is now also affecting the northern state of the Basque Country, because the green coastal strip is known for regular rainfall. In the area, fountains are closed and it is forbidden to water parks and gardens. Filling swimming pools is also not allowed.
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The supply by the ‘Dutch Spirit’ will in any case last for the next few weeks, but can be extended until October.
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