“Water is a scarce commodity: not a single drop should be wasted”

Pla de Mallorca has been living among restrictions and tanker trucks for years. How did this critical situation come about?

This situation came about because the well water resources that supply the different town councils in Pla are becoming increasingly scarce, due to climate change and the overexploitation of aquifers. In some places, the flow is now virtually non-existent. So far, nothing has been done about this and we’ve been forced to supply some of Pla’s municipalities with water by tanker.

As well as quantity, the problem is also water quality. Which is of greater concern right now?

Our main concern is no doubt quantity. It’s true that some councils and municipalities are having to inform residents that the water contains nitrates above permitted levels, but at least in those cases there’s water for showering, washing clothes or cleaning. The only thing is that it’s not fit for human consumption. But the problem of not having a single drop of water is much more serious.

How does this affect the daily life of local residents?

In the case of tanker trucks, local residents don’t really know about them, except when they receive notices asking for their cooperation to reduce consumption. Water that comes in trucks can’t be wasted, because it's very costly for the public purse. In everyday life, citizens don’t see it as a serious issue, but they’re urged not to overuse it. In terms of quality, municipalities with high levels of nitrates are warned that the water is unfit for human consumption, and residents have to rely on bottled water.

In some towns, such as Lloret, the nitrate problem is particularly serious. What solutions are being considered?

Denitrification plants are being considered, but this isn’t straightforward. These plants are not without their problems: they generate a lot of reject brine, meaning the water extracted from the wells must be treated and a large proportion is lost, leading to further overexploitation. Therefore, since aquifers are already at their limit, it’s not a very viable option. The alternative of osmosis is not giving good results either; in several municipalities where it’s been implemented, technicians have identified several drawbacks. Ultimately, the only possible solution is to connect to Mallorca’s desalinated water network.

Many coastal municipalities already have such a network. Does Pla feel forgotten?

A bit, yes, it’s a feeling we have. But this isn’t a recent problem; we’ve been fighting against this situation for many years. Sometimes we’ve even been told that our municipalities don’t have enough people to justify the spending required to bring in desalinated water. But aquifers have no borders: an aquifer passes from one municipality to another without limits, and when it’s overexploited on the coast, it’s the centre that suffers. So, yes, we’ve felt a bit abandoned.

What are the risks of continuing to exploit such overburdened aquifers?

We’re already seeing the consequences: some wells have simply stopped producing water and no more can be extracted. There’s no other option but to look for alternative solutions, such as bringing in water in tanker trucks, installing new pipelines or finding different wells. But Mallorca’s aquifers are generally overexploited, and the solution doesn’t involve drilling new wells, although sometimes there’s no other option. The only real solution is to connect Pla to the desalinated water network, which is able to ensure future supply.

What exactly does connecting to the desalinated water network involve?

Under the Balearic Water Plan, water from the main supply network is expected to reach one of our municipalities. From there, a tank will be built where the water will be redistributed to different towns. What we’ve done is to apply for financial support from Mallorca Island Council in order to draw up the interconnection project from Sineu to Lloret, and even to Algaida. This system will allow desalinated water to be channelled to municipalities in Pla that don’t currently have it.

Would such a connection be sufficient to guarantee supply in the future?

We do believe this project would be sufficient, of course. But it’s not something that will be resolved in the short term: it won’t be a matter of a year or two. Sineu is expected to have desalinated water by 2027, after which the more complex, large-scale piping works will begin. We’re now drafting the project, which will then have to be put out to tender. Moreover, we’ve already asked the Balearic Government and the responsible regional ministry to collaborate in the execution of the project, since the town councils have neither the skills nor the means to carry out this type of work.

A common complaint is that subsidy deadlines and requirements aren’t well adapted to small municipalities. What should change?

What we always ask is that the Pla district be considered a priority area, because the aquifers are in a highly critical situation. Moreover, these are works that affect not just one municipality, but several. These are large-scale projects of general interest, and for this reason we’re calling on the Balearic Government to implement them directly as a matter of urgency. The situation no longer allows for delays or partial solutions.

What would it mean to achieve water security for Pla?

Water security will come when desalinated water reaches all municipalities, and we can somehow do without aquifers. Only then can we talk about stability and a sustainable future for the district.

Do you think a definitive solution will be found this time?

Yes, this is the commitment the Balearic Government has made. I think they’ve finally realised that the situation is really serious and are taking action. There is political will to act and take the responsibility for this situation.

Finally, what’s your message to the citizens of Pla de Mallorca?

I’d ask citizens to understand that water is a scarce commodity, to use it responsibly and not to waste a single drop.