Mallorca: Reservoirs remain conspicuously empty despite rain and snow

Little relief for water supplies: Gorg Blau and Cúber stay low

Last week I was early in the morning up in the mountains near Escorca; fog hung in the olive groves and the first snow lay on the peaks. Sounds like the reservoirs should be refilling, right? Think again. The latest figures from November 24 show: the two main storage reservoirs, Gorg Blau and Cúber, are together only about 30 percent full – more precisely: around 29.9 percent.

There has been precipitation in recent days, but it has only marginally improved the situation. Gorg Blau climbed to roughly 31.6 percent, Cúber sits at just under 27.2 percent. Those are small steps, not the big leaps one hopes for after good rain.

Short-term rise, long-term problem

What the numbers show: one or two days of rain, even snow in the Serra, do not make up for what is lost during months-long dry spells. The early-warning level was lifted for the consumption areas in the island's centre and in Artà – a bright spot. For most other supply zones, however, the warning remains in effect.

Many locals already talk about everyday life with water restrictions: farmers who used to water in the early morning now move irrigation even earlier or switch to drip irrigation. Homeowners in Palma often check the hot-water meter timing and frown – small behavioural changes help, but they are only a drop in the ocean.

What helps (and what doesn't)

Technically, desalination and targeted replenishment are being relied upon. That is important, but costly and not sufficient everywhere. Experts warn: long-term strategies are necessary – from optimizing storage to agricultural irrigation methods to stricter leak management in the pipes. Awareness campaigns have been running for some time; they raise consciousness, but not immediate large volume savings.

And a very practical tip from residents here: stop sprinkling the lawn daily, only run the washing machine when fully loaded, and check cisterns. It sounds banal, but it makes a noticeable difference.

A winter with question marks

Four weeks before Christmas, uncertainty remains. Will a significant block of rain still arrive? Or will it stay at sporadic showers? For the reservoirs, only a longer, steady period of precipitation would really change things. Until then, the message is to keep saving and watching – and to keep an eye on the numbers on the municipal water platforms.

I will continue to follow the situation and report from the ground, especially if seasonal changes bring measures or restrictions.