The tiny municipality of Estellencs, Mallorca’s second smallest town with just 369 residents, is taking ambitious steps to solve its chronic water shortages by planning the construction of a small local desalination plant. The decision follows two years of recurring water restrictions and the steady drying of local sources such as the Ull de l’Aigua spring, which can no longer meet year‑round demand.
Why Desalination Is Now the Only Viable Solution
After more than a year of searching for alternatives — including surveys to locate usable aquifers — authorities concluded that existing groundwater reserves were either too limited or of inadequate quality. With no dependable natural supply left, Mayor Bernat Isern confirmed that the town will turn to desalination to secure a sustainable water future. “We need to find real solutions,” he emphasized.
What the New Plant Will Look Like
The project, supported by a €321,450 grant from the Balearics Ministry of the Sea and the Water Cycle, includes exploratory drillings scheduled for February in the Cala area to identify suitable wells for extracting and reinfiltrating desalinated water. The plant will be built on land near the local cemetery — the only viable location — where the municipality also plans to develop a new reservoir.
The facility will have a daily desalination capacity of 200 tonnes, significantly more than the town’s current consumption of 40 tonnes. Despite this, the mayor stresses that the goal isn’t to run the plant at full capacity but to operate it for only four to five hours a day, powered by solar panels, ensuring a steady and energy‑efficient water supply.
Digital Water Metering Makes the Project Feasible
Estellencs recently digitalised all its water meters, allowing the town to achieve zero leaks and accurately track consumption. This modernization has already reduced water losses by 40 tonnes and is seen as essential in ensuring efficient use of future desalinated water.
(Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin)