There was a slight rise of 34 cubic hectometres in water levels last week, according to figures announced by the Environment ministry earlier today. This is the first rise since May, but levels remain at only 39.2% of total capacity. The slight improvement not only reflects the effect of tropical storm Gordon last weekend, but also a "change in tendency" in watering habits, above all by farmers, now that the season for intensive irrigation has ended, explained an Environment ministry spokesman.
The recent rains benefited Ebro basin reservoirs especially, where levels rose by 231 cubic hectometres, while levels in the Tajo basin actually fell by 76 cubic hectometres.