The Town Hall of Esporles has set a limit of 340 litres per day per household in the urbanisations of Ses Rotgetes and Jardín de Flores, where consumption has skyrocketed since June. The restrictions include fines of up to €2,500 and the possibility of scheduled cuts.
The Town Hall of Esporles has launched a water restriction plan in the urbanisations of Ses Rotgetes and Jardín de Flores, where consumption has surged since the end of May. Since last Friday, July 3, each household has a maximum limit of 340 litres per day, according to a mayoral decree. The measure aims to prevent residents of streets 6 and 9, the most vulnerable, from running out of supply.
The mayor, Josep Ferrà, has acknowledged that the situation is critical. "We have implemented all the measures at our disposal while we continue to request the authorisations for the second well and the connection with ABAQUA," he stated in comments reported by the council. Ferrà has called for residents' cooperation to reduce consumption: "Water is a limited resource and, at this moment, responsible use by everyone is essential."
Prohibitions and penalties
The municipal decree temporarily prohibits all non-essential uses of water, such as garden watering, filling swimming pools, cleaning terraces, and other recreational uses. Those who violate these rules face penalties of up to €2,500 and, in serious or repeated cases, temporary supply cuts.
The Town Hall does not rule out implementing scheduled cuts by sectors if the situation does not improve. In fact, the council warns that these cuts could be initiated "shortly" if necessary to ensure general supply. This measure has already been used in previous episodes in the municipality.
Two factors exacerbate the crisis
The water shortage in Ses Rotgetes and Jardín de Flores is due to two main causes: the extraordinary increase in consumption since the end of May and the delay in the commissioning of the second supply well, planned for Vial XII. This infrastructure, considered key to strengthening supply, is still pending the necessary administrative authorisations.
Meanwhile, the council is maintaining an extraordinary supply of drinking water via tanker trucks to the most affected households, covering costs in duly justified cases. It is also continuing negotiations with the Govern to formalise an agreement with ABAQUA that would allow water from the supramunicipal network to be supplied to the urbanisations' supply system.
For the residents of Esporles, this is not new: every summer, the increase in seasonal population and uncontrolled consumption push water reserves to the limit. The difference this year is that the second well, which was supposed to relieve pressure, is still not operational. While waiting for the authorisations, the Town Hall reminds that scheduled cuts are a real option if consumption does not decrease. Residents of streets 6 and 9, the most affected, hope that the measures will be sufficient to avoid running out of water during the peak heat.
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