• War over ‘nautical Airbnb’ erupts in court

• The PSOE insists that the Balearic exception to the nautical charter will be approved before the season

From the Conselleria del Mar y del Ciclo del Agua insists that the measure is necessary to ensure maritime safety, protect the Balearic coastline and strengthen the exercise of its own powers in the field of ports and nautical management.

According to Mallorca Diario, the general director of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant, has explained that the appeal has not surprised the Balearic Executive. «We were expecting this appeal. We had already been warned. What we do not understand is the State’s obsession with this regulation, now less than ever. «, he said.

Mercant criticized the fact that the Government has appealed specific aspects of the regulation, such as the obligatory indicative flag, the sale of tickets or the limitation of rentals to a maximum of three months, measures that, in the opinion of the Government, seek to curb a phenomenon that was growing outside the law and without sufficient controls.

«There was no real demand in the Balearic Islands for this activity».

From the Conselleria they emphasize that the regulation does not respond to an ideology or a crusade against the sector, but the attempt to bring order to a practice that had generated a direct impact on ports, coves and maritime coexistence.

«There was no real demand in the Balearics for this activity. We do not understand what benefit can have injecting more tourist boats in our sea. «Mercant pointed out, stressing that many of these vessels were operating without proper moorings or technical supervision.

• Parlament presses the Government to stop the ‘nautical Airbnb’ in Ibiza and Formentera

• The Government downplays the importance of the ‘nautical Airbnb’ and says that in the Balearic Islands there are only two applications

The conflict has also acquired a political tinge. As the Government recalls, PSIB deputy Milana Herrera announced in July that there was an agreement with the Government to exempt the Balearic Islands from the state regulation. However, the presentation of the appeal denies this commitment.

«It is clear that this agreement was not as real as promised. It would be necessary to ask the PSIB what has happened so that now the State presents this resource. «Mercant said, regretting the «imbroglio between PSOE and PSIB» and the confusion generated.

Only three vessels have requested the change

The data provided by the Government itself cast doubt on the real impact of allowing this activity. According to Mercant, only three vessels in the entire Balearic Islands – two in Menorca and one in Mallorca – have requested the change to the temporary commercial list.

«With these numbers, the appeal is not understood from the general interest,» said the head of Ports, suggesting that behind the appeal there is more private pressure than public will.

Meanwhile, the Balearic Popular Party has openly accused the Government of acting at the dictate of business interests, pointing to platforms such as ListaSeptima.com as possible beneficiaries of an eventual liberalization of the sector.

• The PP accuses the PSOE of «making a fool of itself» with the false announcement of an exception in the ‘nautical Airbnb’.

• The Government ignores the PSIB and defends to the hilt the controversial ‘nautical Airbnb’ to which the whole Balearic Islands is opposed

Mercant has not ruled out this interpretation: «It seems that here is not defending the collective interest, but the particular benefit of those who want to do business with our coast,» he warned.

«We do not encroach on competencies; we cover their incompetencies.»

One of the strongest messages of the Govern has come when addressing the alleged conflict of competences. Mercant has denied that the autonomic limits are being exceeded and has launched a direct criticism to the central Government: «We are not invading competences of the State; we are covering its incompetences«.

According to him, the state maritime surveillance is focused on the control of small boats, drug trafficking and customs, so it does not have sufficient resources to control the phenomenon of tourist boat rentals.

«We act where the State does not,» he said.

Despite the forcefulness of the speech, the Government has made it clear that it will abide by the outcome of the judicial process if it is successful. «We will speak with the nautical table and we will apply the corresponding modifications«, Mercant has indicated.

However, he warned of the risk of opening the door to uncontrolled practices if the regulations are relaxed: «We don’t want people to come, do the season and leave their garbage behind. We are not looking to restrict, but to control».

Continue reading:

• Stop to the ‘nautical Airbnb’ in Ibiza: Prohens resorts to an express maneuver to overthrow the Government’s decree

• The war with Madrid over the regulation of nautical charter: the Govern prepares its counter-offensive

• The Government faces the state airbnb nautical state and vetoes the tourist rental in its ports

• Ibiza demands to stop the «nautical airbnb» and accuses the central government of «disloyalty».

• The Govern hardens its rejection of the ‘nautical Airbnb’ and studies ‘all ways’ to prevent the imminent state rule

• Ibiza and Balearic Islands raise their voices against the controversial ‘nautical Airbnb’.

• Record fines for illegal nautical charters in the Balearics: 462,200 euros in fines

• Business war in Formentera: the nautical charter blames high hotel prices for losing 30% of business.

• The Govern will review the decree regulating the nautical charter to increase safety

La entrada Open war between the Balearic Islands and Madrid for the veto to the ‘nautical Airbnb’: «We are covering the incompetence of the State». se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• End of the unity in the insubordination: the historic beach bar of Formentera that renewed the concession ‘in extremis’ begins to dismantle.

The clock is ticking: next January 15 there should be no trace of the presence of the beach bars.

«We are evaluating it,» said Pedro Arribas, head of Kilómetro 11, located in Playa de Migjorn, when asked by La Voz de Ibiza. La Voz de Ibiza. Meanwhile, he declined to make any kind of statement.

For his part, Juanjo Costa, head of the company awarded the beach bar in lot 43 of es Migjorn(Far Away La Mola SL), which changed its name from Amagatai to Amar, replied that «this matter is in the hands of our lawyer«.

He added that «when we have more news, I will let you know».

However, sources familiar with the sector have remarked that they «no longer have time» to be completely dismantled by January 15, the established deadline.

Especially because most of them are non-detachable beach bars, as the technical report of the Govern was able to establish.

There it is detailed that «at least 3 of them are not removable (Es Pujols lot 24, Es Mitjorn lot 43 and Cala Saona lot 3); 2 would be with conditions (Quiosco Arenals lot 35 and es Copinar lot 27); and only 3 are apparently removable (Arenals lot 38, Es Marí lot 50 and Es Pujols lot 19)».

• Now the Consell de Formentera recognizes the obligation to dismantle the beach bars.

Insubordination

Last year, this insubordination orchestrated in collusion with the government of Sa Unió at the head of the Consell de Formentera resulted in a derisory fine of 1,500 euros for each of the eight owners, a ridiculous amount compared to the costs of dismantling and reassembling the installations.

However, the complaint of a group of former concessionaires and the Government forced the Conselleria del Mar to open an informative file. As La Voz de Ibiza advanced, the technical and legal reports of the officials left no doubt about the seriousness of the breaches: the concession has to be expired .

• Neither Plan B nor express bidding: beach bars in the air for 2026 in Formentera

Both documents in the possession of this newspaper conclude that «the essential conditions of the concession title have not been complied with» due to different irregularities ranging from the lack of disassembly to accessibility and sanitation problems.

Therefore, «the procedure for the expiration of the concession granted to the Consell Insular de Formentera» must be initiated.

The documentation was transferred to the parties so that they can argue if they consider it appropriate. The next step is the resolution of the Conseller del Mar y del Ciclo del Agua, Juan Manuel Lafuente.

Mandatory disassembly not complied with

One of the most serious offenses included in the report is the failure to remove the kiosks by the legal deadline established between January 15 and February 15, 2025.

• Demolishing report: Formentera’s beach bars on the ropes

• A legal report of the Govern proposes to expire the concession of the beach bars of Formentera.

The report itself states that «the kiosks were not dismantled from January 15, 2025 to February 15, 2025», and stresses that «there is no record of a dismantling forecast for the same date in 2026».

As advanced by La Voz de Ibiza, the annual dismantling was an essential condition included in the Ministerial Order of concession and was in the bidding documents. Non-compliance, as indicated, entails the automatic expiration of the concession, as established in Article 79 of the Coastal Law.

Continue reading:

• The report that reveals the complicity of the government of Sa Unió in the Consell de Formentera with the concessionaires of the beach bars.

• Formentera’s ways to avoid a summer without beach bars

• Countdown for Formentera’s beach bars: refusal to dismantle is grounds for immediate termination of the concession

• New insubordination? The beach bars of Formentera question the dismantling this winter

• Formentera’s controversial chiringuitos are at stake after a summer of serious infractions

• Competition under suspicion: former beach bar concessionaires warn the Consell de Formentera of immediate legal action

• Another serious offense of the beach bars under suspicion in Formentera: they set up a store of caps and hats.

• The dark future facing Formentera’s beach bars: the Govern stifles insubordination

• The seven serious irregularities for which they ask for the nullity of the concessions of the beach bars of Formentera

• Cordoba says that the complicity of Sa Unió in the insubordination of the beach bars will have economic consequences for the Consell de Formentera.

• Chiringuitos agree with Córdoba: economic studies of the bids were out of date

• The ‘dismantling’ of a lie: a prestigious professor warned of the obligation to remove the beach bars included in the bidding documents

• Insubordination in Formentera: Verónica Castelló ignored an allegation against the dismantling of the beach bars that she now wants to avoid.

• Asier Fernández denies Sa Unió and the chiringuitos: «We asked the Govern in October and the answer was ‘we have to dismantle'».

La entrada «We are evaluating it»: the beach bars have not decided if they will dismantle this winter. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• Now the Consell de Formentera recognizes the obligation to dismantle the beach bars.

This is the first beach bar to begin dismantling work. Last year none of the eight concessionaires complied with the obligation contained in the concession title to be dismantled between January 15 and February 15.

This insubordination orchestrated in collusion with the government of Sa Unió at the head of the Consell de Formentera resulted in a derisory fine of 1,500 euros for each of the eight owners, a ridiculous amount compared to the costs of dismantling and reassembling the installations .

The refusal to comply led to a complaint from a group of former concessionaires and the Government, which forced the Conselleria del Mar to open an informative dossier. As a result, the technical and legal reports of the officials left no doubt about the seriousness of the breaches: the concession should be expired .

The documentation was transferred to the parties so that they can argue if they consider it appropriate. The next step is the resolution of the Conseller del Mar y del Ciclo del Agua, Juan Manuel Lafuente.

Sa Unió fails, Cordoba moral victory

Unless there is a surprise, the concession will be withdrawn and Formentera will not have beach bars on its beaches this summer, which will be an absolute failure for Sa Unió and a moral victory for Llorenç Córdoba, who bet on leaving the contest deserted, renewing the old concessionaires for a year and calling for a new one.

The consequence will not only be the loss of one of the tourist attractions of Formentera, as evidenced by the fact that the beach bars were widely promoted in one of the latest videos of the Consell de Formentera. And the fact is that the beach bars provide lifeguard service and are obliged to offer public toilets.

• Historic chiringuito

Bartolomé Escandell managed to renew the concession in extremis and as a result of the fact that the winner of the lot did not present the required documentation .

In a way, Escandell has acted as a loose canon with respect to the other seven concessionaires, who have behaved at all times as a team led by Juanjo Costa, the businessman behind the beach bar that installed the pipes under the dunes without permission.

For example, he did not sign the application registered by the historic lawyer of Angel Bustos, Francisco Javier Jimenez de Cisneros Cid, old acquaintance of the Port Authority as his complaint triggered the case ports, among others, in which he requested not to dismantle on the grounds that the specification requires to be open all year, inconsistency that would have served to reverse the contest. Nor did he participate in the meeting in which Angel Bustos, owner of two beach bars in es Pujols, proposed a reduction of the canon.

It did join the insubordination of the chiringuitos and did not dismantle the installation last year, something it did not want to repeat this year.

La entrada End of the unity in the insubordination: the historic beach bar of Formentera that renewed the concession ‘in extremis’ begins to dismantle. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• The expiration of the concession to the beach bars of Formentera is closer.

The irregularities detected range from unauthorized modifications to the failure to dismantle the facilities, as well as accessibility and sanitation problems, according to the report in the possession of this newspaper.

The document, prepared after an inspection and in response to the complaint filed by the previous concessionaires, states that «the essential conditions of the concession title have not been fulfilled» and that, therefore, «the procedure for the expiration of the concession granted to the Consell Insular de Formentera» should be initiated.

Mandatory disassembly not complied with

One of the most serious misconduct reported in the report is the failure to withdraw from the kiosks within the legal deadline established between January 15 and February 15, 2025.

The report itself states that «the kiosks were not dismantled from January 15, 2025 to February 15, 2025», and stresses that «there is no record of a dismantling forecast for the same date in 2026«.

• Countdown for Formentera’s beach bars: refusal to dismantle is grounds for immediate termination of the concession

As advanced by La Voz de Ibiza, the annual dismantling was an essential condition included in the Ministerial Order of concession and was in the bidding documents. Its non-compliance, as indicated, entails the automatic expiration of the concession, as established in Article 79 of the Coastal Law. 79 of the Coastal Law.

Fixed structures that cannot be disassembled

Another critical point detected by the inspection is that not all the kiosks installed can be considered removable, as required by the regulations.

The law requires that the structures be modular and without fixed foundations, something that is not complied with in at least three cases.

According to the technical report, «at least 3 of them are not removable (Es Pujols lot 24, Es Mitjorn lot 43 and Cala Saona lot 3); 2 would be with conditions (Quiosco Arenals lot 35 and es Copinar lot 27); and only 3 are apparently removable (Arenals lot 38, Es Marí lot 50 and Es Pujols lot 19)».

• Formentera’s controversial chiringuitos are at stake after a summer of serious infractions

However, the report clarifies that, «as the Consell de Formentera has not submitted the construction project for the execution of the staking out act, we do not have documentation to verify the type of module that is hidden behind the coatings carried out in some of them».

Nor does the Conselleria have «assembly manuals from the manufacturer of the kiosks that would allow us to state with certainty what has been reported and make a more detailed study of each of the kiosks».

The report also questions the attitude of the Consell de Formentera. According to details, «in the act of recognition of June 2025, the Consell de Formentera is indicated that it must prove that the kiosks are easily removable».

However, three months later, on September 15, the Consell responds «without providing supporting documentation of the manufacturer or the construction project».

• New insubordination? The beach bars of Formentera question the dismantling this winter

There it only explains that «the materials with which they are constructed are light and easily transportable, without permanent foundations or concrete anchors. The kiosk-bars, in general, are made of wood and/or other materials, either individually or in the form of panels joined together with nails and/or screws, which allows them to be disassembled by removing the elements that join them».

This has been disproved by the report prepared by the head of the Concessions Service.

Minimum distances violated

The document also points out that at least two kiosks on the beach of Els Arenals do not comply with current regulations by not respecting the 300 meters of mandatory separation between establishments on natural beaches.

This condition was expressly imposed by the Ministry during the processing of the file.

In this sense, it details that, at the time of the staking out act, the Consell de Formentera «alleged that one of the articles of the RGC (General Coastal Regulation) had been repealed and it was no longer mandatory to comply with the separation of 300 meters between kiosks».

At the time of the replanting act «the statement of the Consell de Formentera was taken for granted, which is why in the replanting act the displacement of 2 of the kiosks was authorized; specifically of the 2 kiosks of Arenals (lot 38 and lot 35)», explains the technician.

For this reason, the replanting report was taken as a starting point and «these modifications already authorized in the replanting report were not questioned».

• Insumisión de los chiringuitos de Formentera: Prohens said that «the file is still open».

However, «after consulting the applicable regulations at the time of the concession and the modified regulations that were taken into account to authorize the (supposedly non-substantial) modification during the reconsideration, the Concessions Service of the General Directorate realized that the 300-meter separation is an obligation that is maintained in the applicable regulations after the repeal of part of the articles in force at the time of the concession».

Therefore, it determined that «it was not appropriate to authorize the modification of the location of the kiosks indicated in the reconsideration report«.

Bathrooms closed or used for storage

One of the commitments of the concession was that the restrooms attached to the kiosks would be free for public use.

However, the June 2025 inspection found bathrooms that were closed, without toilets or used for storage. In addition, the required adequate signage and ventilation were not complied with.

• Competition under suspicion: former beach bar concessionaires warn the Consell de Formentera of immediate legal action

The technical report remarks that the Consell «has not provided documentation nor has it corrected the detected incidents», and that the problems persist despite having been notified.

Lack of technical documentation

Another alarming aspect is the absence of the final construction certificate, the construction project and the «as built» plans that accurately detail the actual occupation of the maritime-terrestrial public domain, as well as the end of construction certificates, according to the report.

These documents are mandatory and, according to the Govern, were never presented by the Consell.

The Conselleria points out that «the real characteristics of the installations cannot be accurately verified», which aggravates the legal uncertainty of the file.

Work after the deadline and without extension

The terms of the concession required that the works be completed by November 25, 2024.

However, several elements -such as the Es Pujols sailing school and five bathing modules- were not executed within the legal deadline and there is no record of any request for an extension.

The Government stresses that, if this non-compliance is maintained, it could be a non-substantial modification that also invalidates part of the concession.

Essential» non-compliances

The report, signed by the head of the Concessions Service, concludes that «essential conditions of the concession have been breached«, which would justify initiating the expiration procedure.

Textually, they are listed:

• Failure to comply with annual disassembly.

• Presence of non-detachable structures.

• Failure to comply with the minimum distance between kiosks.

• Deficiencies in public restrooms.

• Lack of mandatory technical documentation.

And concludes: «As a consequence of failing to comply with essential conditions listed in application of the Ministerial Order, Article 79 of the LC and 165 of the RGC , it would be appropriate to initiate the procedure for the expiration of the concession granted to the Consell Insular de Formentera«.

Continue reading:

• Another serious offense of the beach bars under suspicion in Formentera: they set up a store of caps and hats.

• The dark future facing Formentera’s beach bars: the Govern stifles insubordination

• The seven serious irregularities for which they ask for the nullity of the concessions of the beach bars of Formentera

• Cordoba says that the complicity of Sa Unió in the insubordination of the beach bars will have economic consequences for the Consell de Formentera.

• Chiringuitos agree with Córdoba: economic studies of the bids were out of date

• The ‘dismantling’ of a lie: a prestigious professor warned of the obligation to remove the beach bars included in the bidding documents

• Insubordination in Formentera: Verónica Castelló ignored an allegation against the dismantling of the beach bars that she now wants to avoid.

• Asier Fernández denies Sa Unió and the chiringuitos: «We asked the Govern in October and the answer was ‘we have to dismantle'».

La entrada Demolishing report: Formentera’s beach bars on the ropes se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• Ibiza unblocks the new water contract after 15 years

Lopez explained during an interview on Radio Ibiza that the city still maintains a unitary network that mixes rainwater and wastewater, a system that collapses when there are episodes of rain. «Almost all municipalities have unitary sanitation networks.

Rainwater and wastewater go through the same network,» he said. The separation of pipes will allow rainwater to circulate through its own pipes and not depend on the clogging that today reduces the useful flow. The city of Ibiza suffered this autumn episodes of saturation linked to accumulations of waste and the inability of the network to absorb heavy rainfall, a problem described by Aqualia as «structural«.

A 17 million contract and 49 actions

The project is part of the new concession approved by the City Council, which includes 17 million euros in investments during the first eight years and a total of 49 priority actions. These include improvements in hydraulic infrastructures, expansion of rainwater networks, renovation of sanitation, installation of smart meters and increased water efficiency. López pointed out that, once the administrative procedures have been completed, the FCC-Aqualia joint venture will be able to activate the first works foreseen in the contract.

Clogging, wipes and marine intrusion: today’s challenges

The Aqualia delegate stressed that the most visible incidents in sanitation do not originate in the treatment plants, but in the state of the urban networks. «Wet wipes and grease are the number one problem,» he said. The accumulation of this waste causes a decrease in the useful diameter and favors overflows during rainfall. Added to this is the deterioration caused by seawater infiltration in old pipes, a phenomenon that increases salinity and hinders purification processes.

Water reuse: untapped potential

Aqualia explained that a clean and clog-free network would allow an increase in the production of reclaimed water. «If the water arrives in optimal conditions, it can be used for irrigation or street cleaning,» recalled López. This would reduce the pressure on the desalination plants, which in July and August work at peak demand levels. The municipality aspires to extend the use of reclaimed water in urban services and green areas, which would help to free up drinking water resources in a context of high summer demand.

Situation in the other municipalities: improvements and active projects

Although the main work will be carried out in Ibiza, López reviewed the situation in the other municipalities managed by Aqualia. In San Josep, the network – the most extensive on the island – has improved its efficiency to around 75%, while the tender for the new sewerage contract is progressing. In Santa Eulària, the City Council is working on the monitoring of the sewerage system and the improvement of pumping stations. In Sant Joan, the Balearic Water Agency is processing the project for the new Portinatx treatment plant. In Formentera, Aqualia manages a system with total digitalization of meters, with yields close to 90%.

La entrada Ibiza starts in 2026 the largest sewerage work in decades to stop flooding se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• The Govern earmarks 5 million in aid to people and companies in Ibiza affected by the storms

Strong impact of the DANA on the Pitiusas islands

Last October’s rains were especially intense in Ibiza and Formentera, where the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) recorded record values. At Ibiza airport, 89.4 liters per square meter fell in a single day, while Formentera reached 78.8 l/m², the highest records since data has been available (2015). The Pitiusas as a whole accumulated 139% of rainfall compared to the average, which has allowed a significant recovery of the aquifers after several months of deficit.

• The fourth desalination plant that sets off environmental alarms in Ibiza

Ibiza still on water alert

Despite the improvement, Ibiza continues to be in an alert situation, according to the Conselleria’s indicators, while Formentera maintains a normal situation. The autonomous department reminds that the changes of scenario are not automatic: to go from alert to pre-alert, the indicators must remain two consecutive months within the upper range. Mallorca decreases slightly from 45% to 44%, and Menorca improves from 41% to 43%.

Encouraging developments for November

The Government’s technicians foresee a new increase in reserves during November, if the autumn rains maintain their usual behavior. The average temperature for the month was 19.6 degrees, 0.7 degrees above normal, making it a warm October, according to the Aemet.

La entrada Alice dune boosts water reserves in Ibiza after historic lows se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• Abaqua awards millionaire contracts for water infrastructures: what does the investment in Ibiza and Formentera include?

This is an unprecedented trial in relation to the use of these non-conventional resources. The stored desalinated water would serve in the months of greatest demand not only in the core of Santa Eulària, but even in other municipalities through the interconnection, Moles had explained to La Voz de Ibiza shortly after taking over the management of ABAQUA, eleven months ago.

«It has not been a delay,» Moles has now clarified, in the hours before the beginning of the infiltration. «The works and installations have been underway for some time; in fact, they have been, for the scale of ABAQUA, of little entity. However, the time to have volumes for the test was now, when municipal consumption has been reduced considerably, we have the supply to the Sa Rota irrigation pond about to end and we know of the possible existing capacity in the aquifer due to the absence of rainfall (we cannot store water and that a rainy year the aquifer overflows),» he explained.

In short: «Apart from works, installations, permits and licenses, it was necessary to have certain availability of flow and knowledge of foreseeable storage capacity».

The work began yesterday with a sampling at four control points, as well as the water to infiltrate. This initial analysis will establish a «situation 0» prior to the process, which will allow to compare the evolution of the test with reliable data, have informed from the Consellería del Mar y del Ciclo del Agua del Govern Balear.

Moles reiterated that initially about 2,000 ^m3 of desalinated water per day will be infiltrated, until a volume of 100,000 ^m3 is reached in two months , a considerable amount after which the results can be evaluated.

Infiltration will be carried out continuously and at a constant flow rate of 80 m³/h. The evolution of the process will be monitored in real time by means of probes that will measure parameters such as salinity, level and temperature, storing the information for later analysis together with the samples collected at the control points.

The project to infiltrate desalinated water is based, as Moles explained when he took over the management, on data from measurements of levels contrasted with rainfall for more than 10 years, which have been carried out by both the Directorate General of Water Resources and the City Council of Santa Eulària.

According to the expert, these measurements show evidence of a high level of confinement of the aquifer in an area of approximately 1,000,000 m² annexed to the nucleus of Santa Eulària, above the Can Guasch neighborhood. This level of confinement is key, since it reduces the risk of increasing the salinity of the water due to maritime filtrations.

Expectations

Moles has emphasized that once the infiltrated volume is 100,000 ^m3 it will be time to «make decisions according to the measurements taken in real time, but after careful analysis».

The water to be infiltrated will be analyzed chemically at least once a week, while the samples from the control points will be examined in the laboratory every 15 days. Conclusive results are not expected to be available until after the halfway point of the test, so the first relevant data will be available at the end of March. So far, the process is proceeding normally and without incident, since all the elements were tested and verified before starting the water supply.

In this line, the manager of ABAQUA has insisted on his message of caution: «It is a research trial». But, in the realm of hypotheses, what can happen?

«The most favorable scenario is that we have evidence from the control points that the infiltrated water is stored and that the chemical characteristics of the mixture are suitable. This would make it possible to store between 150,000 and 300,000 m³ to be used in the season of maximum demand,» said Moles.

He concluded: «Logically, if we have decided to carry out this trial it is because with the data we have available we expect the result to be favorable».

Unprecedented for desalinated

The trial that is beginning is unprecedented in the Balearic Islands due to its unique characteristics. Although a similar aquifer recharge project has been carried out in Mallorca, it has been done with surface water from springs. But nothing similar has ever been done in the archipelago with desalinated water.

In view of this new development, «the monitoring, control and analysis of the evolution of the mixing of salt water with the water accumulated in the aquifer must be prudent, meticulous and very carefully analyzed«, Moles said in February.

Continue reading:

• Work progresses on the east desalinated water branch to reinforce supply in Ibiza

La entrada This is the unprecedented experiment to store desalinated water that has just begun in Ibiza. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

The owners of the beach bars of the mega-contest under suspicion of Formentera knew since October 18 that the Balearic Government would not yield to the obligation stipulated in the General Coastal Regulation to dismantle the beach structures every year for at least one month, a date that began to run last January 15.

• The chiringuitos of the contest under suspicion are still set up and the concessionaires gain time with the complicity of the Consell.

Thus, the lies wielded by the owners of the silver kiosks, and repeated by the new Governing Board of the Consell de Formentera, crumble like a house of cards. First, because the owners tried to ignore such obligation by arguing that «there is not a single mention of the obligation to dismantle the kiosks in January; on the contrary, among the conditions and obligations of environmental character does not appear the slightest trace or hint on this issue,» as they have raised in an allegation filed by the lawyer of the beach bars, Francisco Javier Jiménez de Cisneros Cid. Secondly, because they blame the «lack of political will» for the fact that they will be forced to remove the structures, as the Government ratified a few days ago. This was echoed by the Consell de Formentera, which stated that in December «seven of the eight lots of kiosks asked the previous councilor of Litoral the possibility of not dismantling their facilities, because of the damage that this would generate. A request that was not transferred to the Government of the Balearic of the Balearic Islands at the time», they pointed out. However, as La Voz de Ibiza was able to confirm , this request was made even months before, with a negative response from the regional authorities.

Meeting and refusal

On Monday, October 7, after several insistences, Asier Fernandez was received in Palma by the head of Authorizations of the Conselleria del Mar. Later, the head of Temporary Authorizations, a lawyer and the person in charge who signed the stakes were added. «I tried to meet before. But, the director (general of Coasts and Coastal) of the Conselleria(Carlos Simarro Vicens) was on leave and it was impossible for me,» explained Fernandez consulted by La Voz de Ibiza. At that meeting, among several queries, Fernandez asked: «Do they have to dismantle the beach bars?The answer left no room for doubt:«You have signed this and you have to comply with it«. «The Conselleria del Mar was consulted, the Demarcación de Costas was consulted, everybody was consulted. And everyone said ‘you have to dismantle’. And based on all that information the technical report was made, signed by the person in charge of the contract and by the lawyer,» Fernandez told La Voz de Ibiza. This was notified orally to the beach bars in a meeting held on October 18 in which 7 of the 8 beach bars were present. At that same meeting, the businessman Angel Bustos, who took the role of spokesman for the licensees, requesteda reduction in the fee as «economic rebalancing» after considering that «the specifications are impossible to meet». In addition, a written response was made to «each and every one of the questions officially asked by the licensees via the entry register. And also to those made in person during the meeting that we convened from the Coastal Department with all of them just before the end of the tourist season».

In point three of that document dated December 20 and bearing the signatures of the contract manager and Environment technician, Javier Asencio, and the lawyer Carmen Marí-Mayans Torres, detailed the famous Article 68 of the General Regulation of Coasts that clearly stipulates the obligation to dismantle for a month. And it is concluded that«it is mandatory to dismantle the facilities of food and beverage establishments from January 15 to February 15, because this Consell must abide by the provisions of its concessionary title«.

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• The risks faced by the chiringuitos of the contest under suspicion in Formentera for their insubordination

• The tender under suspicion is surprising: the planimetry was provided by the concessionaires themselves.

La entrada Asier Fernández denies Sa Unió and the chiringuitos: «We asked the Govern in October and the answer was ‘we have to dismantle'». se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• «Yacht charter companies are going to have to close and we are scared for the future.»

The General Directorate of Ports and Maritime Transport has intensified the control of illegal boat rental activities, in collaboration with the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard. This effort reinforces the Government’s commitment to ensure maritime safety and protect the environment in Balearic waters.

Infringements in figures

Of the 153 sanctioning files registered up to December 12:

• 64 correspond to minor infractions.
• 89 are serious violations.
• 65 files have already been finalized, while the remaining 88 are in various stages of processing.

The economic impact of these sanctions is notable, with a significant increase compared to 2023, when 109 sanctioning proceedings were initiated with fines totaling 125,020 euros. This increase underlines the increasingly strict approach to these activities. In the last five years, the Balearic Islands has experienced a steady increase in the number of sanctioning proceedings for illegal activities in the marine industry. The trend of intensifying controls has been consolidated, and 2024 marks a milestone in this strategy with a significant increase over the previous year. The Government attributes this success to the collaboration between the Directorate General of Ports and Maritime Transport and the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard, which has allowed greater efficiency in the detection and punishment of these practices. The Conselleria del Mar has stressed that these sanctions not only seek to curb illegal activities, but also to protect the safety of boaters and minimize the environmental impact in Balearic waters. The practices of illegal nautical charters, in addition to representing unfair competition, can compromise the conservation of the maritime environment and generate risks for users.

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• The Club Náutico de Ibiza loses the historical concession that now passes into the hands of Puertos y Litorales Sostenibles.

• The Govern will review the decree regulating the nautical charter to increase safety

La entrada Record fines for illegal nautical charters in the Balearics: 462,200 euros in fines se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

Key projects in desalination plants, sewage networks and water reuse

As explained by the Minister Juan Manuel Lafuente, the allocated budget reflects the Government’s commitment to the improvement of water infrastructures. Among the outstanding projects are the expansion of the Alcúdia desalination plant, the connection of the Es Caragolí reservoirs and the construction of new desalination plants in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. In addition, improvements to sewage networks in towns such as Inca and Ibiza will be financed. The budget also includes an item to promote the reuse of reclaimed water, reducing pressure on aquifers and protecting these key natural resources.

Flood protection and strengthening of torrent infrastructure

The Govern has also tripled the funds allocated to the protection and maintenance of torrents, with an allocation of 17.1 million euros that will improve the capacity to manage rainwater and reduce the risk of flooding in heavy rainfall events. These measures reinforce safety in the face of extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.

An effort for the conservation of the Balearic coastline

Coastal protection is another priority of the 2025 budget, which allocates 2.3 million euros to the implementation of the new Law on Integrated Coastal Planning and Management. This regulation seeks to conserve and manage the coasts in a sustainable manner, ensuring a respectful and balanced use that protects the natural and cultural heritage. In addition, the allocation will strengthen the supervision of concessions and advance in the preservation of traditional structures such as the «vorera» huts. With an item of 15 million euros e armarked for bonuses for maritime transport, the Balearic Government also seeks to improve connectivity between the islands, facilitating the movement of residents and promoting social and economic cohesion in the archipelago.

La entrada Balearic Islands earmarks unprecedented allocation for water management by 2025 se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

The festival has the full support of the City Council of Sant Joan and is part of the festival program of the coastal town.
Yesterday, from the Consistory gave the green light for a free event that has raised great expectations and has hung the sign of no tickets.

The Department of the Sea and Water Cycle is the body responsible for managing permits for activities on the coast as the one announced for weeks by the Spanish beer brand.
Sources from the cabinet of the councilor Juan Manuel Lafuente have confirmed to La Voz de Ibiza that the event does not have a permit.
Moreover, it is impossible to have the required authorization yet, since several reports are missing to be able to grant it.

Thus, four days before the event, San Miguel still does not have the papers in order, despite the fact that days ago it has launched the advertisements and has even sold out the tickets.The Conselleria has confirmed on several occasions, the last one a few hours ago, that the permits «are still pending» and that the Directorate General of Coasts «continues to work».

Days ago they had already informed La Voz de Ibiza that the organizers had submitted applications for the relevant permits.

Marine strategy

Among the necessary documents for the celebration of the event is the compatibility report with the marine strategy, required by the Demarcation of Coasts in the Balearic Islands. The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has explained to La Voz de Ibiza this Monday that, «following the request of the Conselleria of the determination of the amount of the fee, this Demarcation of Coasts has warned by means of an official letter sent to the Conselleria on 16.09.2024 that there was no record that a report of compatibility with the marine strategy had been requested «.
From the City Council of Sant Joan assured this media yesterday during the day Monday a letter has been sent that includes the report, a fundamental step to ensure that the festival does not affect the marine ecosystems in the area.

Lack of answers from Capitanía and Medio Natural

It is not the only mandatory report.
At least, according to what La Voz de Ibiza has been able to reconstruct, in this competence morass that the light transfer of the competence of Costas has aggravated, answers are still awaited on the part of Capitanía Marítima and the Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Medio Natural, key bodies for issuing authorizations in the maritime area and in the ZEPA protected area, respectively.

Consultations made in the last 72 hours by La Voz de Ibiza to both agencies have not received a response to date, adding further uncertainty about the viability of the festival that is just around the corner but has been announced since September 13.

Canon

Another pending procedure is the setting of the fee for the use of maritime space. for the use of the maritime spacewhich continues to be the responsibility of the State.
According to the Coastal DemarcationThis fee has not yet been calculated, an essential step for the formalization of the use of the maritime-terrestrial public domain where the floating platforms will be installed.
Until this financial aspect is resolved, the final authorization of the event could remain blocked.

City Hall’s version

The City Council of Sant Joan has also explained that the Directorate General of Coasts has communicated to the local administration its intention to issue a favorable report regarding the event, and that it would already have a relevant technical report on the matter. This version has not been confirmed by the Govern: «The permits are still pending». On the other hand, they add that the negotiations for the celebration of the festival began in mid-May, with the constant participation of the Festivities Commission and the traders of the Port of San Miguel.

In addition, the brewery San Miguel has presented all the environmental measures it will adopt to minimize the impact on the environment, and has established a control system through a Authorized Control Body (OCA)The company will inspect the facilities prior to the event to verify that everything is in accordance with the regulations.

A festival on the water: Is it necessary?

The San Miguel’s Day has been announced as a major and unique event in its format.
With a stage installed on floating platforms in the sea, the festival promises an experience of more than seven hours of live music, with renowned artists such as Juan Magán y Carlos Jean headlining the line-up. The event is presented as an «innovative» space that combines music, technology and sustainability, with the intention of attracting thousands of attendees.The organization has highlighted its commitment to the environment, stating that all the festival’s infrastructure, including the floating platforms, will be designed to minimize the impact on the marine environment.

It is projected that the main stage will be an ecological platform, surrounded by smaller ones for the audience, with capacity for hundreds of people.
According to the organizers, recycling and waste reduction systems will be implemented, although no specific details have been provided on how these aspects will be managed.

Uncertainty until reports are obtained

It is also worth noting that a report entitled A proposal for sustainable leisure presents some points that generate more doubts than certainties: one of them is the reliance on an environmental impact document prepared by a marketing agency, which raises doubts since, in seeking to corroborate the effectiveness of the environmental management of the event, no response has been given.
In addition, the mention of reviewing and responding to «complaints» after the event is striking.
This indicates that, although they are committed to mitigating damages, their approach is more reactive than preventive.  

La entrada Contradiction in Ibiza: San Miguel beer announces a floating festival in a maximum protection zone without having the permits in order. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.