The Town Hall of Sa Pobla warned on Thursday that the water is still not suitable for drinking or cooking, despite announcing its normalisation on Wednesday. Residents complain of a lack of information and paying the bill as if it were potable.
The tap water in Sa Pobla has been non-potable since last Monday, and discontent among residents is growing. The Town Hall informed on Friday, June 26, that the water would not be suitable for consumption on June 29 and 30 due to maintenance work at the municipal treatment plant, and that service would normalise on Wednesday, July 1. However, on Thursday, July 2, the municipal institution communicated again that the water was still not suitable for drinking or cooking.
Many residents criticise the communication policy of the Town Hall. "First they told us that on the 29th and 30th it wouldn't be potable and now, two days later, they warn us that it still isn't," laments one resident, who encourages others to "not pay the bills". Another resident adds: "Out of ten times, nine it can't be consumed, but they sure charge for it." Residents complain that they continue to pay for water at potable prices without being able to consume it, which they describe as a "joke".
The mayor absolves the Town Hall and hopes for a solution by Monday
The mayor of Sa Pobla, Biel Ferragut, regrets the situation but absolves the Town Hall of the delay in the treatment plant's work, despite it being municipal. He explains that digiitalisation work is currently being carried out on the infrastructure to modernise its operation. Once completed, it will be possible to "get much more out of" the treatment plant to regulate nitrate levels or reduce chlorine problems, among others. The municipality depends on this plant until water from the high network of the Govern arrives, for which a contract is signed, although it may take years before they can connect to the public network from aquifers and desalination plants. "For this reason, we need to keep it in the best possible condition," Ferragut points out.
The mayor is hopeful that the water will be consumable again in the coming days, possibly on Monday, although he prefers not to set a date until the Town Hall has authorisation from the Govern to inform that the water is already potable because it does not exceed the maximum nitrate limit, set at 50 mg per litre of water.
A recurring problem that exacerbates drought and population growth
In recent months, Sa Pobla has faced numerous problems with tap water due to the high concentration of nitrates caused by the limitations of the treatment plant and the exponential population growth. This situation has forced many residents to buy bottled water for drinking and cooking, an extra expense that adds to the water bill, which they claim they pay as if it were potable.
Meanwhile, the Town Hall recommends not using tap water for drinking or cooking until further notice. Residents hope that on Monday the potability will be confirmed and that there will not be another delay. Patience, they assure, is running out.