Balearic water levels continue to recover

Majorca has suffered some of the worst rains in Spain over the past 12 months, but the unusual weather has served to replenish the water table. As the Balearics near the first anniversary of the November hurricane, having struggled through the coldest and wettest August for 20 years, experts have reported that the region's water table is finally starting to return to normal after more than a decade-long drought which has been the worst in over 100 years. Over the past 12 months, over 1'000 litres per square metre of rain has fallen in some northern parts of Majorca - 75 per cent more than normal. Director General of Water Resources, Antoni Rodriguez has admitted that a year ago, the situation of the water table and the amount of water in Majorca's wells was deeply worrying. However, the alarm bells are no longer ringing. For example, the water level in the main well for Inca-Sa Poble has risen by 46 per cent. “Since last November, water levels have started to stabilise and return to normal,” he said. One of the main well supplies for the Bay of Palma this summer held more water than it has for years, nearly 60 per cent full. But so many years of severe drought and over exploitation have to still be accounted for and despite the heavy rains, water saving measures should continue to be taken in order to preserve present water levels and allow them to continue rising over the winter. According to the Ministry for the Environment, water levels in the Mediterranean have risen more than anywhere else in Spain this year, including areas in the north, famous for their wet winter climate, where water levels have remained static.