Menorca water reserves sit at 33% as drought bites

Menorca’s water reserves averaged 33% in August, as the island remains on drought pre-alert. On Wednesday, PSOE called for the Balearic Government, the Island Council of Menorca and town halls to act together to save water, monitor use and protect supplies. The party will table its proposal at the next Island Council plenary session.

Menorca has been under drought pre-alert without a break since June 2023, including through winter. In each of the past two summers, it came close to moving into the more serious alert stage.

Three groundwater reserves show a wide gap

In June 2026, Menorca’s three groundwater reserves averaged 34%. But their levels were far apart: 56% in Ciutadella, 27% in Sa Roca and 23% in Migjorn.

The August island average of 33% was published on 5 September. PSOE spokesperson Susana Mora said that, ten days later, the official website had still not updated the separate figures for the three reserves.

PSOE seeks action and clearer data

PSOE wants the Island Council’s commission on the full water cycle to work with local councils on measures set out in the Balearic Hydrological Plan and municipal sustainable water plans. The measures would match the current stage: pre-alert, alert or emergency.

The party is also seeking technical and financial help for town halls, closer checks on whether municipal plans are being carried out, and publication of the commission’s meeting notices and agendas.

It has asked the Balearic Government to assess whether seawater could enter and salt the Migjorn aquifer, an underground water reserve. PSOE also wants monthly, separately updated data for Ciutadella, Sa Roca and Migjorn, covering water levels, trends, extraction and quality.

Mora accused the Island Council of inaction. She said lowering pressure in the water network had been used for years in some municipalities but had not solved the underlying problem, warning that salinisation of the aquifer supplying much of Menorca could leave the island short of drinking water.

Topics: Sea & coast · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com