Mallorca's reservoirs remain low after storm

Even after heavy showers, Gorg Blau and Cúber fill only slightly. For many here, water-saving remains mandatory.

Rain brought no relief: Reservoirs remain tight

Last week, the storm named 'Alice' blew dust and leaves through the streets—and for a brief, refreshing scent of rain-soaked earth. Still: the island's main reservoirs respond only slowly. Anyone driving along Gorg Blau or Cúber currently sees much of what we learned in summer: shallow shores, bare gravel banks, water surfaces that do not cover the entire basin.

What do the measurements say?

According to the municipal utilities, the fill levels of both reservoirs are only about a quarter of their capacity — a small uptick compared with the previous week, but certainly no reason to keep the garden hose on full. For the community this means: early warning levels remain active, and obligations to conserve water are not off the table.

Why didn't the rain suffice? There is no simple answer. Part of the rainfall ran off quickly, another part evaporated in the hectic, warm hours between showers. Additionally: the soils had been dry for a long time and absorbed a lot of water before it reached the reservoirs.

Everyday life on the island: between routine and resignation

In small shops and at bus stops you hear the same lines: “We only water in the mornings now,” says the woman at the flower stall on Carrer de Sant Miquel. “The city has told us to save,” remarks a retiree who always has his Sunday coffee on Passeig de Mallorca. The mood is pragmatic, sometimes a little tired — no one wants to dramatize, but many notice: the topic stays close.

For farmers, gardeners and the drinking-water supply, these reservoirs are decisive. Irrigation plans are being adjusted, some fincas are considering installing additional cisterns, and municipalities are maintaining restrictions for parks and public fountains.

What does this mean for the coming months?

Autumn may still bring rain — hopefully more often and more evenly than the short burst of the last week. Until then, households and businesses should continue to use water more sparingly: shorter showers, no continuous operation of sprinklers, and where possible collect rainwater. It sounds banal, but it helps.

I often travel around Puig de Randa and see how quickly small storages empty. Yet the island remains vibrant: bakeries open, the market fills on Saturdays, and the discussion about water remains a topic at every table. No alarmism, but a reminder: water is not taken for granted here — and it probably won't be for a while.