Water scarcity: Seven municipalities on Mallorca tighten restrictions

When the faucet becomes a luxury

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Early in the morning in Sóller you notice it first by the empty watering cans in front of houses. The municipality has imposed drastic rules: pools may no longer be filled, gardens are watered only with utmost restraint, and washing cars is prohibited. This is the first such ban in around 25 years – and yes, it feels strange when the neighbor doesn't bring out the hose.

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Who is affected?

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In total seven places on Mallorca are affected: Sóller, Fornalutx, Deià, Pollença, as well as Valldemossa, Banyalbufar and Escorca. In Fornalutx the rules are the strictest: at night there are no washing or dishwashing operations. Deià is even temporarily cut off from drinking water in places – reports speak of time-staggered shutoffs in individual parts of the town.

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Why now?

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The reasons are simple and frustrating: months with little rainfall, crowded beaches in summer, and low reservoirs in the Tramuntana. The local administration speaks of “preventive measures” to prevent a complete supply crisis. In plain terms: fewer garden taps, fewer pool parties, and more thought when showering.

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How are people reacting? Some shrug it off – “we always have water from the well,” says an older farmer in Pollença –, others are visibly annoyed: a bar owner in Sóller says she now has to ask guests to conserve. Farmers worry about irrigation times, vacation-home owners about bookings.

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Practical consequences and tips

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Concrete consequences: rotational supply in the affected valleys, intensified inspections and possible fines for violations. Authorities recommend using drip irrigation, installing rainwater barrels, and avoiding unnecessary car washes. A quick tip: showering with a timer saves a surprisingly large amount of water.

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The situation remains tense. As long as there is no meaningful rainfall, the rules will stay in place. For many locals it is not a grand adventure, but an annoying but necessary reminder: water is not a given on this island.