Local officials say Barcelona will combat drought by importing water from other parts of Spain and neighboring France from next month.

The second largest city in Spain is trying to deal with the region's worst drought in decades by bringing enough water to meet Barcelona's consumption needs for five days at a cost of 22 million euros ($34.4 million), Terra Daily reports.

Water reserves across Spain have dropped to 46.6 percent of capacity, a 20-percentage point drop compared to a decade ago.

The situation is especially critical in the northeastern region of Catalonia, where water reserves are at just 19 percent of capacity.

If they drop below 15 percent, the water from the dams will be undrinkable, as the low water will contain too much sediment.

The first ship to import water to Barcelona will leave the Spanish Mediterranean city of Tarragona for Barcelona in the first two weeks of May.

A spokesman for the environmental ministry of the regional government of Catalonia said two more ships will travel from the French port city of Marseille in the second half of May.

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