Cooperatives and associations of the primary sector of Ibiza, together with the Alliance for Water, have requested today that municipalities and large consumers use only desalinated water during the winter. With this measure, they seek to reduce the pressure on aquifers, which are currently below 33% of their capacity, and allow their recovery after a year marked by the lack of rainfall. The rainfall recorded in September and October has been insufficient to improve reserves, which aggravates the situation.
Control of wells and use of reclaimed water
During the press conference, the organizations insisted on the installation of digital meters in the wells of large consumers, also demanding transparency in access to consumption data, with monthly reports that reflect the use of groundwater. Another demand is to promote the use of reclaimed water for agricultural and urban irrigation and aquifer recharge. The cooperatives see the start-up of the new treatment plant in Ibiza as an opportunity to discharge treated water into the Es FornĆ s and d’en CapitĆ streams, helping to recover the Serra Grossa aquifer, one of the most severely affected by overexploitation. They also propose the creation of a refueling point for tanker trucks, facilitating the supply to small farmers and gardens. The associations have warned that some farms have already run out of water, putting their activity at risk. Without immediate measures, the Ibizan countryside could disappear, taking with it the projects of young entrepreneurs who are fighting to keep the island’s agricultural tradition alive.
Complaints to the Consell de Ibiza
The representatives of the sector recalled that they already presented a manifesto to the president of the Consell de Ibiza, Vicent MarĆ, last August 30, reiterating their demands during the Insular Water Board of September 23. So far, the organizations claim that insufficient measures have been taken to address the water crisis that threatens the future of the primary sector on the island. Farmers and cooperatives insist on the urgency of acting before it is too late, demanding that water sustainability is prioritized to ensure the survival of local agriculture and avoid an irreparable impact on the rural fabric of Ibiza.