Palma examines desalination: Does the city need its own seawater plant?

Key question: Does Palma really need its own desalination plant?

On a warm morning in Palma, when the corner café still smells of fresh espresso and the harbor sounds are a quiet constant in the background, a sober question sits on the table: should the city build its own seawater desalination plant? Emaya has been commissioned to examine the opportunities and risks – a study costing around €41,000. Not a huge sum, but the decision that could follow is long-term.

Why this topic is coming up now

Pressure is growing: more residents, more tourism, increased irrigation in agriculture. At the same time, some sources and the groundwater are weakening, as noted in Water shortage in Mallorca: As Gorg Blau and Cúber shrink — is Palma really prepared?. A local desalination plant would bring independence and serve as a reliable buffer in drought years. Similar proposals elsewhere on the island, such as Alcúdia plans desalination expansion: Who pays, who really needs the water?, underline that the debate is island-wide. Practically: hotels in Portixol, gardeners near Marratxí or families in Son Espases could benefit. But that is only one side of the coin.

What the study examines — and what is often overlooked

The checklist includes location options, capital and operating costs, grid connection, energy demand and the question of what happens to the highly concentrated brine. Permit procedures and timelines are also topics. Less visible, but decisive, are several details that often get too little attention in public debate:

1) Energy source and emissions. Desalination is energy-intensive. Crucial is whether the plant will run on fossil electricity or be coupled with renewable energy. Solar arrays around Mallorca are sunny, but space and storage must be planned. Without green electricity, the CO2 costs could outweigh the benefits.

2) Effect of the brine on the sea. The salty residues can stress local ecosystems. Deep outfalls, diffusers or even salt recovery are technically possible — but they cost extra and are subject to strict regulation.

3) Use conflicts and allocation. Who will own the water later? Large tourist consumers or households? Without a clear allocation mechanism, social tensions could arise.

Critical weighing: opportunities and concrete alternatives

Yes, a dedicated plant provides supply security. But there are less noticed alternatives and combined solutions that are often more efficient:

- Investment in leakage repair and pipe renovation: Many liters are currently simply lost. Targeted renovation typically costs less and extends the usability of existing resources.

- Expansion of water reuse: Treated wastewater for irrigation or industry reduces pressure on freshwater reserves.

- Decentralized, modular desalination: Small, flexible plants near consumption centers instead of one large plant on the city edge can spread risks and lower investment barriers.

Concrete solutions Palma should include in the study

If Palma is taking the review seriously, a pragmatic threefold approach would be wise:

1. Pilot project with renewable energy: A small, modular plant coupled to solar or wind power and battery storage. This would show how operation, costs and emissions actually look.

2. Transparent plan for brine management: Deep outfalls with diffusers, using the brine for salt recovery or partnerships with industry should be examined — and the ecological risks assessed.

3. Prioritization of savings and renovation measures: Before a major decision, leak repairs, smart metering and incentives for water-saving technologies should take priority.

What citizens can expect

Everyday life will change little at first. Emaya emphasizes: this is an assessment, not a permit. Anyone sitting on the pier won't see any pumps yet. If the city decides to proceed, years of permits, environmental reviews, public hearings and technical tests will follow. And yes, the Plaça de Cort will once again see meetings, paperwork and heated debates — typically local, somewhat tedious, but important.

Conclusion: Don’t decide hastily, combine wisely

The study is a sensible first step. The central question remains: will a large desalination plant solve Palma’s problems more efficiently than a combination of energy systems, smart management, renovation and smaller pilot plants? The answer lies not only in technology but in political prioritization, financing and protecting the sea from the solution itself; funding debates elsewhere, such as Water for the North: Alcúdia Relies on Desalination — Paid for by the Tourist Tax, illustrate how contentious these choices can be. Palma can keep desalination as an option — but better if prepared, modular, linked to renewables and with transparent involvement of the city’s residents.