It was underneath us and we didn’t know it, a natural treasure that has been waiting to come to the surface for years: thermal water with mineral-medicinal properties. And no, we are not talking about the historical towns of the Catalan thermalism, but about Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Who would have thought it, but the neighboring city is preparing to live a real revolution with its “Thermal City” project, which seeks to take advantage of the water riches discovered almost two decades ago.
What began as a chance discovery, back in 2004, during the drilling of the Metro Line 9 tunnel, when pockets of hot water with initial temperatures close to 60ºC appeared, is about to become the Metropolitan Area’s new public spa. After years of planning and previous studies that had already given “clear indications” that the waters of Santa Coloma had an extraordinary thermal potential, the City Council has stepped on the accelerator and the current plan is entering its final phase.
The scientific litmus test
Things are getting serious: the project is at a crucial moment with the approval of the tender for the construction of two hydrogeological research wells. If all goes according to plan, the award of these works will be resolved in early 2026, which would allow drilling to begin just after allocation.
These two wells are not a mere whim, but the litmus test to validate the viability and quality of the resource, which has been estimated to be able to reach a temperature range of between 80 and 120 ºC at depth, according to preliminary reports. The first will be dedicated to carrying out an exhaustive chemical analysis for twelve months. This monitoring is essential so that, by means of monthly samples analyzed by specialized laboratories, the coveted official seal of mineral-medicinal water to be awarded by the Generalitat can be obtained.
The second well, however, will be the jewel in the crown, as it will go to much greater depths, ranging between 200 and 500 meters. Its mission is to accurately measure the real temperature of the aquifer and, crucially, to evaluate the flow in liters per second and the recharge capacity to ensure the sustainability of the project over time. Only with these guarantees can the resource be exploited on a large scale.
A future of well-being and energy savings
The municipal objective, which has an estimated overall investment of more than 30 million euros, is twofold and aims to have a direct impact on citizens. In the first phase, this hot water will be used in a practical and sustainable way, for the supply and air conditioning of public facilities, such as sports centers and schools, taking advantage of its thermal energy for significant energy savings.
The main goal, however, is the construction of an impressive thermal leisure center in the Can Zam area, strategically located next to the park of the same name and with excellent public transport connections. This future complex, which is envisaged as a center of attraction of more than 10,000 square meters, would include swimming pools, areas for relaxing treatments and, possibly, accommodation areas designed for family tourism.
The mayor of Santa Coloma, Mireia González, has emphasized that the initiative “offers great opportunities to grow as a city”, while the first deputy mayor, Toni Suárez, has remarked the possibility of turning Santa Coloma into “a great pole of attraction in the metropolitan context”. If the hydrogeological tests confirm the abundance and quality of the resource, it won’t be long before we have a new wellness destination less than 20 minutes from Plaça Catalunya.
By the way, if you are in the area this Christmas, you can take the opportunity to visit the largest Christmas park in Barcelona, with 37 attractions and a real ice rink just a metro ride away from the center of Barcelona.