The Consell de Ibizatogether with the five municipalities of the island, has given a strong warning after analyzing the situation of water resources. Water reserves reached a worrying 32% this summer, the lowest level recorded to date. This situation could lead to extreme measures, such as general water restrictions, a scenario that, according to president Vicent Marí, “is more real than ever if this trend is not reversed”.
Water at historic lows
During the last session of the Consell de Alcaldes, Marí described the situation as critical and explained that an urgent meeting will be requested with the Conselleria del Ciclo del Agua del Govern Balear to seek immediate solutions. “We cannot wait any longer; if we do not act now, restrictions will be inevitable,” he warned. Despite the efforts made to improve the efficiency of municipal networks, with results ranging from 93% in Sant Joan to 70% in Sant Josep, the current measures have not been sufficient to address the crisis. Although Sant Josep has achieved an annual improvement of 5%, the impact of these improvements remains limited in the face of growing demand and scarce resources.
Awareness and urgent measures
The Consell de Alcaldes also stressed the importance of involving the whole of society in this problem. Marí made a clear call: “Not only do we need more efficient infrastructures, it is also essential that both residents and tourists understand the seriousness of this crisis and change their consumption habits”. In addition, initiatives were discussed to give greater visibility to the situation, such as awareness campaigns that seek a responsible use of water and saving strategies in all sectors.
Other key issues on the agenda
Water was not the only issue on the table. During the session, it was agreed to create a technical committee made up of experts and political representatives to unify criteria in the extraordinary legalization files. Likewise, a common calendar was established for the seasonal cab service, which will operate from April 15 to October 31, in order to optimize mobility during the high season.
On the other hand, the Consell addressed the arrival of unaccompanied foreign minors, a problem that has overwhelmed local resources. The island authorities expressed their frustration at the lack of state support: “It is unacceptable that a matter of national competence should leave the islands in this situation of neglect,” they said. A meeting has been requested with the Ministry of the Interior to seek effective solutions and alleviate the pressure on the child protection services.
The future of water in Ibiza
With the next tourist season just around the corner, the island faces the challenge of managing its resources in a sustainable way. The Consell de Ibiza insists that it is time to act and seek joint solutions to avoid a summer marked by water restrictions that would affect the entire population. “The situation is not irreversible, but time is running against us,” concluded Marí.
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