26/03/2000 00:00
TW
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The Balearic government is to study the viability of increasing water output at the desalination plant as a solution to Majorca's water crisis. Balearic Chief Minister, Francesc Antich, made the announcement as he emerged from crisis talks with the Palma and Calvia councils and central government delegate Catalina Cirer yesterday. Cirer has taken up the gauntlet in a bid to reach a solution and on Monday will travel to Madrid to discuss the possibility of bringing forward the desalination expansion programme, which is not due to start until the Autumn.

After yesterday's talks Antich repeated his pledge that there will not be any water problems in Majorca this summer and that everything is being done to avoid a crisis, but he repeated that all parties involved have to work together. However he said that the government's “shock plan” is to be stepped up as the drought is forecast to continue and the government is also thinking long term. But while output at the desalination plant looks set to be increased, despite intial opposition from the Balearic Environment Minister, a number of government owned wells in Marratxi and Sencelles may also be brought into operation.