Sóller Tightens Water Use: Showers Off, Pools Off-Limits

New water rules in Sóller – what's in effect now

Starting today, handwritten notices are posted on lampposts in some streets of Sóller. In short: Pools may no longer be filled with tap water, gardens should not be watered, and cars should not be washed with drinking water. The municipality justifies the step due to the ongoing drought and the low reservoir levels, which are currently around 30%.

That affects many here directly. I was in the morning near the market, the air was dry, and the smell of fried fish hung over the Passeig. A cafe owner half-joked: \"Whoever still fills the pool now has other worries.\" But the joke hits home: the measures are noticeable for hoteliers and private households.

What restrictions apply exactly?

The key points in brief:

• Pools: No refilling with mains water.
• Gardens: Irrigation is prohibited—exceptions are only for a few emergencies and medically important plants, by prior arrangement.
• Vehicles: Cars and boats may no longer be washed with fresh water.
• Showers: Beach and sports facility showers are turned off.
• Cleaning: Terraces and facades may only be cleaned in exceptional cases and with a valid reason.

Fornalutx has issued similar guidelines, according to the town hall. Experiences here, however, vary: in the higher-altitude villages the summer has been milder so far, while in the valleys the ground dries out faster.

Some residents react with understanding, others are annoyed. An elderly woman at the weekly market said: \"We have been saving water for years, but if the big hotels keep sprouting, that doesn't help much.\" A hotel manager, on the other hand, emphasized that many houses are already saving: shorter showers, towel-reuse programs, and technical measures that reduce consumption.

What does this mean for guests and visitors?

If you come to Sóller in the coming days: expect less comfort at recreational facilities. Beach showers are not usable, pool parties should not take place. For visitors, it is important to be sensitive—asking questions often helps: many businesses openly inform what is possible and how they can still provide guests with an enjoyable stay.

The measures are temporary, according to official statements, and will be reevaluated if rainfall increases again. Until then: save, ask, and perhaps slow down a notch. An island that shares water remains an island, but with new rules.