Zaragoza is preparing to face one of the most suffocating weeks of the summer. That is why the City Council will activate from this Monday, July 20, the orange alert of the Municipal Emergency Plan for heat wave in the face of an extreme episode that could shoot up thermometers to 44 degrees and leave tropical nights in which it will be difficult to fall asleep.
The alert will come into force at 8:00 a.m. on Monday and, in principle, will remain active until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 24, although its duration may be extended or modified as the forecast evolves. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) anticipates a succession of extremely hot days, with maximums of up to 44 degrees and minimums that could not fall below 24.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOLS AND 60 CLIMATE SHELTERS
Among the measures adopted for these cases, the price of the individual ticket to municipal swimming pools is reduced, provided that it is purchased at the box office. The rates, while the Municipal Emergency Plan for heat wave remains activated, will be 2.50 euros for adults and 2 euros for minors and pensioners. This is a significant discount compared to the usual prices, which range between 2.60 and 4 euros from Monday to Friday, and between 2.80 and 4.70 euros on weekends and holidays.
In addition, the City Council has enabled the municipal network of climate shelters, which makes spaces available to the most sensitive population in which they can take shelter at times when the heat may even be a risk to health. In addition to the coexistence centers for the elderly and the civic centers of the city, among other municipal buildings, the headquarters of the Office of the Environment in Casa Jiménez.
Likewise, the Municipal Public Libraries of Zaragoza are also spaces in which to take refuge, during their opening hours, while making use of their different proposals and activities. In total, there are more than 60 municipal facilities, of different types, which are available during their opening hours so that citizens who wish to do so can take shelter from the heat. The accesses to these shelters have already been signposted, to make them known and so that citizens know that they can use them as a refreshment space.
ZARAGOZA STRENGTHENS ITS PUBLIC WATER NETWORK
Hydration is one of the keys to self-protection in periods of high temperatures. In recent years, the Green Infrastructure Service has reinforced the city’s public water network and climatic comfort elements, with a special focus on the arrival of high summer temperatures.
As a novelty, this year three fresh water dispensers have been launched in the Balcón de San Lázaro, the Fluvial Front and the Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta, which are in addition to a large number of actions undertaken since 2024 to facilitate hydration, play and rest in the shade in public space.
The new dispensers, made of stainless steel, have a cooling capacity of 45 litres per hour (9 litres continuously), with an adjustable outlet temperature between 7 and 14ºC. In addition, they are fully adapted for children and people with reduced mobility, and are born with a dual vocation: to offer quality water and to reduce the carbon footprint associated with single-use packaging. In addition, they incorporate anti-vandalism systems.
WATER SPRAYERS AND SOAKERS
Beyond water for direct consumption, the city has expanded the refreshment points to mitigate the effects of heat waves and create micro-spaces of comfort. After the first installation in 2024 on Duquesa Villahermosa Street (next to Delicias), in 2025 four more were executed in Albada Square, Donante de Órganos Square, Luis Puntes Walkway and Corredor Verde Boulevard. These elements, which are already operating, complement the network of fountains and serve as occasional shelters on days of high temperatures.
The recreational and family component has also advanced with the incorporation of children’s water games. In 2024, at the request of the residents, a «Remojachicos» was installed in the Parque de la Tolerancia (Actur), and in 2025 a new action was added in the Plaza Bámbola, in Valdespartera, providing safe play and refreshment options for children during the hottest months. All these actions are part of the City’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan and are coordinated within the Municipal Civil Protection Plan for heat waves.
TAKE EXTREME PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
The City Council reminds citizens to take extreme precautionary measures to avoid health problems in the face of high temperatures. Although everyone can suffer from disorders from excessive heat, people over 65 years of age, children under five years of age, especially babies, and those who perform an activity that requires a lot of physical effort are at greater risk and, therefore, should be especially protected.
For this reason, the Office for the Elderly, community social services and the municipal telecare service will inform users of all the recommendations, through posters, brochures and personalized attention. On the other hand, the Municipal Shelter will take measures to guarantee the accommodation and correct hydration of users, and will transfer the appropriate recommendations to avoid risks.
Civil Protection volunteers will monitor open spaces and green areas to attend to incidents and remind neighbors to take personal care, and fountains will be activated so that citizens can cool off.
