Sant Cugat faces mounting pressure to respond to recent flooding as the CUP (Candidatura d'Unitat Popular) prepares to table a motion at the municipal plenary this October. The proposal calls for immediate financial aid to households affected by torrential rains in September and early October, alongside a comprehensive plan to prevent future flood damage.
The motion will be presented at the monthly plenary session, scheduled for the last Friday of each month at 9 a.m. at the town hall on Plaça de la Vila, 1. The CUP is urging the council to treat the issue as a non-partisan emergency, citing the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events linked to the climate crisis.
Under the proposed emergency measures, the council would establish an extraordinary financial aid line for affected residents and cohabiting households. The support would cover urgent needs including cleaning and repair of primary residences, replacement of essential goods, temporary accommodation, and other flood-related expenses. The CUP stresses that aid must be processed quickly and prioritised based on economic need, acknowledging that not all households can wait for insurance settlements.
The motion also demands a full diagnosis of high-risk areas across the city, specifically naming Carrer de Sant Jordi, Can Trabal, Buscarons, Saladrigues, Can Cabassa, the Martorell bridge, and parts of La Floresta and Les Planes. It calls for a review of maintenance contracts for the sewage system and the development of a Sustainable Urban Drainage Master Plan to replace the 2014 study conducted with the UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).
City Already Preparing Flood Response Plan
The CUP’s push aligns with ongoing work by the city government. The Ajuntament de Sant Cugat is currently drafting a climate adaptation plan for 2027–2035, focused on improving drainage infrastructure, riverbed maintenance, and emergency protocols. According to Cugat Mèdia, the plan is still in draft form and aims to identify vulnerable areas and prioritise interventions to reduce flood risk.
"The objective is to have an updated diagnosis reflecting the current reality of the municipality," said Cristina Paraira, deputy mayor for Urban Management, Mobility, and Climate Change.
Meanwhile, Mayor Josep Maria Vallès confirmed the council is assessing whether to request a formal declaration of 'Zona Afectada Greument per una Emergència de Protecció Civil' (commonly known as a disaster zone) from the Spanish government. Such a designation could unlock additional state funding for recovery efforts.
The council has already activated a dedicated advisory service for affected residents, available without appointment at citizen service offices in Plaça de la Vila, Mira-sol, La Floresta, and Les Planes. By 2 October 2026, 21 people had sought assistance through the service.
What This Means for Residents
Residents affected by flooding can seek guidance and report incidents at any of the four Citizen Service Offices (Oficines d’Atenció Ciutadana) without booking. The council is also reviewing potential compensation pathways, including appeals to regional and national bodies. The CUP’s motion will be debated at the next plenary, expected on Friday 30 October 2026, offering a key opportunity for city-wide consensus on flood resilience.
Sources: TOT Sant Cugat, santcugat.cat.
