Balearic Islands to invest 39.8 million euros to combat water scarcity

The Balearic Islands are facing significant water challenges driven by population growth, urban development, and economic sectors. According to the Aliança per l’Aigua i Terraferida, water consumption in the region has reached 247 billion liters annually, with the average daily consumption per inhabitant at 136 liters—exceeding the Spanish national average. In 2025, approximately 145,000 residents lived in areas where water was declared unfit for human consumption or posed health risks.

A study by Terraferida highlights a massive surge in swimming pool construction in Mallorca, noting that 10,680 pools were built between 2015 and 2024. Approximately 30% of these are located on rural land, while 70% are on urban land. The study emphasizes that the surrounding landscaped grass areas often consume more water than the pools themselves, with each hectare of grass requiring roughly 8,000 cubic meters of water annually.

In response, the Balearic Government has allocated 19.9% of the Sustainable Tourism Tax funds for the 2026-2027 period to address water cycle issues. This represents an investment of 39.8 million euros across 14 projects aimed at mitigating the region's water crisis.