Dryness alert issued in the heartland of Mallorca
The picturesque island of Formentera remains unaffected by the ongoing water crisis, but its neighbour, Mallorca, is facing a severe drought that has led to the declaration of a drought alarm, the second highest alert level, in the Pla de Mallorca region. This region, known for rural tourism and popular with hikers and cyclists, is home to around 38,000 of Mallorca's approximately 950,000 inhabitants.
The crisis, stemming from extreme drought, high tourist water demand, and infrastructure challenges, has led to serious restrictions on water consumption for residents and businesses in about 14 municipalities within Pla de Mallorca. The Balearic government and local authorities are preparing to declare several municipalities in the region an emergency area to enable government funding for water deliveries and enforce these restrictions.
Large consumers, such as hotels, have had their taps turned off to help underground reservoirs recover. Some places are relying on water tankers for supply. Bans on watering gardens, filling pools, and washing cars have been in place since early July across Mallorca, including Pla de Mallorca.
The municipality of Deia on Mallorca's west coast has suspended water supply in some parts for three days a week since early August due to the water shortage. Notably, the luxury hotel La Residencia in Deia is affected by the water restrictions but has a large water tank.
The Balearic government expects the groundwater levels to continue to drop in August, with a noticeable recovery not expected until autumn. More than 88 percent of the Balearic archipelago is currently in the "pre-alert" stage. The water level in Mallorca has fallen from about 50 to 46 percent, while on Menorca, it has dropped from 42 to 40 percent.
The escalating water crisis on Mallorca is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the need for sustainable water management practices. The Balearic government has urged residents and tourists to be mindful of their water usage and to follow the restrictions in place to ensure the conservation of water resources.
The ongoing drought and tourist water demand have put a strain on the water supply in Mallorca, necessitating the implementation of restrictions on water consumption in several municipalities and the potential declaration of emergency areas. This situation highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in light of climate change, especially in regions such as Pla de Mallorca, which is a hub for environmental science, including the study of climate change and its impact on weather patterns.
