Balearic Islands water infrastructure projects face significant delays

The Aliança per l'Aigua has reported that only 23% of the works planned under the Balearic Islands Hydrological Plan (PHIB) 2022-2027 have been awarded. This comes with just over a year remaining in the plan's current term.

Of the 1,016 million euros allocated for infrastructure works during the 2022-2027 period, the regional government and its agencies are responsible for 519.3 million euros, while municipalities and municipal water companies account for 480.3 million euros. The government has awarded 111.7 million euros (21.5%) of its assigned portion, and municipalities have awarded 125 million euros (26%). However, the municipal figure is heavily influenced by a single project: the expansion of the Palma II wastewater treatment plant. Without this project, municipal execution would fall below 6%.

Three major projects account for 65% of all awarded funds in the plan: the Palma II wastewater treatment plant expansion, the remodeling of the Palma Bay desalination plant, and the pipeline between Petra and Manacor. The Aliança per l'Aigua notes that slow execution is a long-standing issue, stating that between 2018 and September 2026, the average annual award amount was approximately 18 million euros, significantly lower than the 79 million euros required annually to meet the PHIB targets.