Sóller turns off the tap: Showers off, pools forbidden — how the town is dealing with drought

Sóller turns off the tap: New rules, tangible daily life

In the morning, notes are hung on lampposts and at the market hall: "Save water" here is no longer just good advice but an ordinance. Sóller Turns Off the Tap: Pools Closed, Strict Water Restrictions, beach showers have been turned off, gardens may not be watered – the municipality cites ongoing dry conditions and the Sóller Facing a Drinking Water Emergency: Ten Days Until the Crisis?, which is currently around 30 %.

Anyone strolling along the Passeig and catching the smell of fried fish and freshly brewed coffee in the air quickly notices: the measures are more than a sign. At the weekly market vendors whisper about suppliers bringing less fruit; by the tram the clatter today conveys a quieter unease than summertime cheer. A café owner winked: "Whoever is still filling their pool now probably has other worries." The joke lands because it reflects reality — and because not all parties are affected to the same degree.

Guidelines for everyday life: What is now prohibited

The main points at a glance:

Pools: No refilling with tap water. Existing facilities should minimize water loss.

Gardens: Irrigation is prohibited, exceptions only for medical or very well-founded cases after consultation.

Vehicles: Washing cars and boats with drinking water is no longer allowed.

Showers: Beach and sports facility showers have been switched off.

Cleaning: Terraces and façades only in emergencies or for compelling reasons.

Nearby places like Fornalutx have already issued similar rules — see Water alarm in Mallorca: Seven municipalities shut off taps. At higher elevations the summer has so far been milder, while the valleys dry out faster — a gradient that shapes not only the landscape but also the debates.

The key question: Who pays for the savings?

The ordinance raises an issue of fairness: while many households have long been conserving, large consumers still account for a major share of usage. An older market vendor put it plainly: "We've been saving for years — but if the hotels carry on as before, it won't help much." Hoteliers emphasize they have already taken measures: encouraging shorter showers, reuse programs for bed linen, more efficient laundry technology. But temporary cuts are not an answer to structural scarcity.

So far, there has been little discussion about how strictly the rules will be enforced. Will inspections and fines follow? Who may grant exemptions? Such questions will decide whether the duty to save is implemented fairly and effectively.

What guests should know and do now

Anyone traveling to Sóller in the coming days should expect less comfort in recreational facilities. Pool parties are inappropriate, beach showers are unavailable. Sensitivity helps: asking at accommodation pays off. Many businesses inform guests transparently and offer alternatives — for example extra wet wipes or information about local laundry services that work with recycled water.

Long-term outlook instead of drip tactics: Opportunities and concrete solutions

The acute measure is necessary, but it mainly shows one thing: short-term bans fall short. Sóller now needs pragmatic and longer-term strategies. Some concrete proposals:

1. Promote greywater and rainwater use: Hotels and private households could be required or incentivized to install systems for non-potable water — for toilets, permitted irrigation and cleaning.

2. Review water rights and pricing: A fairer distribution through adjusted tariffs or consumption quotas can strengthen incentives to save and put larger consumers more on the hook.

3. Reduce evaporation losses: Pool covers, plants for shade, and native drought-resistant planting reduce demand.

4. Invest in treatment and decentralization: Smaller, solar-powered desalination or water treatment units could bring long-term relief in tourist hotspots — coupled with strict environmental requirements.

5. Transparency and participation: A local information campaign, neighborhood meetings and clear criteria for exceptions build trust — and prevent resentments between locals and visitors.

Save in the short term, rethink in the long term

Sóller is not alone. The municipality's ability to act is remarkable, but the crisis demands more than ordinances: it needs concrete investments, incentives and rules that work sustainably. While the tram clatters along the tracks in the evening and cicadas produce their loud summer songs, the dry earth under the orange trees reminds us that sharing is now a priority.

The goal must be to make the island more resilient without disproportionately burdening parts of the population. In the short term that means: save, ask, be considerate. In the medium and long term that means: plan, invest, rethink. Sóller may have turned off the tap — whether this is only a drop or the start of a sustainable shift now depends on political decisions and all of us.