PLENTY IN THE TANK

PALMA
MAINLAND Spain is in the grip of a serious drought with the governments of Catalonia and Galicia considering introducing water restrictions as the regions' reservoirs continue to dry up. However, here in Majorca, it is a very different story.

A decade ago, the Balearics was shipping water in from the mainland as the islands withered from the effects of the worst drought for a century.
But, today, Majorca's two main reservoirs, Cuber and Gorg Blau, are reaching maximum water levels.
Cuber is currently 91 percent full and Gorg Blau, 88 percent.
In total, the two reservoirs are holding a combined 11 million cubic metres of water - enough to keep the island supplied with water for the rest of year and that includes supplying the millions of tourists heading for the island this summer.

WELLS
Last month may well have been the driest January for ten years but it was not noted in the water levels in the reservoirs while the island's wells, natural springs and water table are also near record highs and, as the next few months are forecast to be slightly wetter than usual, they can look forward to a top up before summer.

The Balearic Minister for the Environment, Cristina Cerdo, confirmed during the week that Majorca's water resources are more than sufficient for the year ahead.

But, she added that the gradual expansion of the region's desalination plants have helped to ease the pressure on the natural water reserves over the past few years while consumers are becoming more aware of the need to save water.

That said, as the summer holiday season approaches, the government will re launch its water saving campaigns while public buildings and hotels are having to install water saving schemes and devices in accordance with the law.