The Aiguafreda City Council has recently announced a change in the management of the 'low-pressure' water distribution within the municipality. Under normal conditions, the primary water source is the Picamena Reservoir, located a few meters above the Pont de Picamena in the Vall d'Avencó, at an altitude of 504 meters. From there, water is gravity-fed to the Water Treatment Plant (ETAP) in the Eixample neighborhood (430 m), where it is treated before being sent to the domestic supply tanks. This water is known for its high purity and mineral content, and its use is free as it is a heritage resource.
However, the Riera d'Avencó experiences severe low flow during the hottest months, preventing water abstraction to maintain the minimum ecological flow required for the river. Furthermore, the accumulation of gravel and stones in the reservoir, resulting from flash floods, has reduced its capacity. Recently, levels of certain suspended minerals, particularly iron and manganese, have exceeded permissible values for human consumption, forcing the temporary discontinuation of its use as drinking water.
During the last dredging operation in 2022, following the storm Glòria, both the ACA (Catalan Water Agency) and the Montseny Natural Park imposed a very limited maximum depth around the dam (1.2 m). This restriction has affected the reservoir's utilization. The Aiguafreda City Council is collaborating with these authorities to obtain the necessary permits for the next dredging to reach a greater depth, thereby improving the exploitation of this resource.
