More water than last year: Mallorca's reservoirs breathe easier

More water than last year: Mallorca's reservoirs breathe easier

Short rain showers in September gave water levels a noticeable boost

On Passeig Mallorca the late-summer heat shimmers, kiosk owners are once again filling iced coffee cups and on terraces cups clink a little less often — evenings are still warm. In the mountains, however, where the Tramuntana breaks the clouds, the mood is different: the dams are currently providing a breathing space for the island capital's water supply.

The balance: The reservoirs that supply Palma with drinking water are in better condition this year than at the same time in 2025. Overall levels are around 35 percent, about 7.5 percentage points higher than at the end of September last year. The Cúber in particular looks more lively: it currently registers a fill level of 40.42 percent — at the end of September last year it was just under 29 percent. The Gorg Blau is at roughly 31.5 percent, compared with about 26 percent a year ago, a situation also described in Serra in Dry Mode: Gorg Blau and Cúber Only One-Third Full.

Measurements support the development: in the area around Escorca, where Cúber and Gorg Blau are located, the national weather agency AEMET recorded more than 33 liters of precipitation per square meter on September 9. That was enough to noticeably refill the reservoirs for a time, as reported in A Wet September — Still No Water Miracle for Mallorca. The municipal utility Emaya therefore rates these rains as useful for the island's reserves.

For anyone who regularly visits Cúber or the Mirador de ses Barques: the view has changed noticeably. The water level, often looking dull, now shows a dark blue line along some shores again, and the air above the reservoir between the cypresses is a little fresher. Hikers and cyclists report that springs along the high paths are trickling more lively once more.

That is good news for Palma. More storage in the reservoirs does not automatically mean all problems are solved — but it creates a buffer that buys time in dry periods and reduces pressure for immediate measures. For gardeners, small farmers and those who rely on a steady water supply, every percentage point more in the reservoirs is tangible, and Why Mallorca's reservoirs remain empty despite rain — a reality check shows why caution remains advisable.

At the same time the weather outlook calls for caution: AEMET expects mostly clear skies and little precipitation for the next two weeks; the agency talks of a warm start to autumn with daytime highs around 29 to 30 degrees. In other words: the recent rains helped, but further downpours are not guaranteed for now.

What does this mean for everyday life on the island? First: the situation has eased, but it is not over. Gardeners should continue to water in the cooler evening hours; residents of Palma can see the refilled reservoirs as a relief, not a free pass for wasteful water use. Second: for visitors, it is a good moment to enjoy the Tramuntana in peace — with some luck the paths are grippier, small water spots are flowing again, and the view over Cúber and Gorg Blau looks fresher.

Practical inspiration: a quick check of the rain barrel or adjusting the watering schedule is often enough to use the newly gained reserves responsibly. And since the island experiences temperature swings, a flexible approach to water — collect, dose, water in the evening — pays off.

In the end the picture remains positive: compared with last year the reservoirs have gained and give Palma and the island a little breathing room. Whether fill levels continue to rise now depends again on the weather. Until then, the 35 percent is a welcome buffer that stabilizes the balance between town, countryside and mountains a bit — and you can hear that in the calmer conversations in the cafés, the more contented looks of hikers at the viewpoint and the softer sigh that drifts through the olive groves.