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Increased rainfall secures Mallorca's water reserves

featured in News & reviews Author Nicola Henderson, Site Editor Updated

Whilst the rain may not be to everyones liking, it has boosted Mallorca's water reserves so much during the last decasde that the island could survive a couple years of drought should the weather patterns change. Figures from the Water Resources department say that Majorca's water reserves are on average 69% full. A decade ago, the water reserves were at 33%.

One of Mallorca's most important aquifers, s'Estremera, supplies the Bay of Palma and is close to 100% full and guarantees water for half the population of the island. The level has increased steadily over the last decade, due to increased rainfall and also because of a new pipeline that feeds water from the Tramuntana mountains into the aquifer. It is so full in fact, that the authorities have had to drain it during the past year to prevent flooding.

Less water is being used in agriculture which has also helped keep levels high in the water table.

2010 was in fact a normal year for rainfall which maintained the levels of water from 2009 (also a normal rainfall year). It may have felt wetter due to the fact that much of the rain fell in short sharp bursts - think tropical rain storm rather than endless drizzle.