19/12/2004 00:00
TW
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Staff Reporter THE aquifers (underground rivers) of Majorca are now running at 50 percent of their capacity after having recovered from summer's low levels. The year began with a volume just a little higher, 54 percent, with light fluctuations in this figure following later. Data drawn from November records show that the level registered in May this year has now been recuperated. This means that the present volume of water supply is acceptable, particularly if we compare it with the drought in years 2000 and 2001.



In those years, the level of aquifers of Majorca fell to an average level of 17 percent. Reassuring flow volumes were not reached again until November 2001.

It should be remembered that it is the underground water resources which are the most important in the region, in contrast to the mainland of Spain where it is surface water which provides the major part of the water supply.

On the subject of individual aquifers, it is worth pointing out that the underground river of Fonts Ufanes was running at 100 percent capacity in November.

At the other end of the scale, the underground river of Felanitx, was producing only 14 percent of its capacity. Rainfall in December will, however, have contributed to improving output.

A good guide of the increase in the flow of underground rivers is the force of the water as it courses along some high volume torrents (water courses) in the Tramuntana mountain area; and the natural phenomenon of the Fonts Ufanes aquifer which bursts through above ground when its water content is plenty. Balearic Environment minister, Jaume Font, was one of the many people who went to Gabelli Petit in Campanet at the end of the first week in December to watch the spring which came to the surface for the fifth time this year following heavy rains. Another tell-tale point is the sa Costera waterfall which cascades voluminously down into the sea when water levels are higher. It would be wrong to think that the water here is lost, because the river water has given rise to ecosystems which we know and enjoy today. A project is in hand, however, to tap the sa Costera waterfall.