According to the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces ( FEMP ), at least 4,000 villages are in imminent danger of disappearing altogether due to the ongoing ‘ demographic haemorrhage ’. The worst-affected provinces are in Teruel ( Aragón ), Cuenca ( Castilla-La Mancha ) and Soria ( Castilla y León ) – throughout the region of Aragón itself , some 80 % of inhabitants live in villages with under 300 residents , the majority with as few as 30 . FEMP says the depopulation is driven by two factors : low birth rates , in continual decline since even before the financial crisis and worse since the start of the recession – leading to an ageing population which is not regenerating itself – plus lack of job opportunities in isolated rural areas , meaning those of working age migrate to larger towns and cities . ThinkSpain
Aquifers topped up by winter rains
Last summer the water level in the wells at Pedreguer stood at a depth of 211 metres , just a little above its maximum 232m . As a result of the two lots of rainstorms the Ocaive well now stands at a depth of 85.5m . Not only does this mean that supplies are healthy , but also that costs are reduced since less power is needed for water abstraction . However , Pedreguer Mayor Sergi Ferrús stressed that there should be no relaxation and responsible consumption should be maintained . He also said that it is necessary to continue searching for “ global solutions to the problem of water in the region ” along with other municipalities , not forgetting the work to reduce leaks in the pipelines . In Xaló the losses due to leaks in old pipework were 75 % in 2015 , which they hope soon to reduce to 45 %. Las Provincias