The Health Department has fined Sa Pobla Town Hall €67,284 for four violations in water management, including failing to inform the population for seven months that the water was not suitable for consumption.
Sa Pobla Town Hall will have to pay €67,284 following the penalty imposed by the Health Department for deficiencies in the control and recording of drinking water. The fine, which initially amounted to €69,108, has been reduced after partially considering the council's claims and applying discounts for voluntary payment.
Violations that triggered the fine
Of the four violations attributed, the most serious is failing to inform the population between October 2024 and May 2025 that the water was not suitable for human consumption due to excessive nitrates. This infraction, considered very serious, has been penalised with €48,000, as it could not qualify for a reduction.
Other penalties are due to deficiencies in the recording of analyses in the National Drinking Water Information System (SINAC), with months without uploading data. The municipal treatment plant, inaugurated in 2007, has obsolete systems that generate episodes of elevated nitrates.
Criticism from the PP and defence from the mayor
The PP of Sa Pobla has denounced that the poor management of the governing team, led by Biel Ferragut, has caused the municipal coffers to bear over €80,000 in fines. The popular spokesperson, Pedrona Seguí, stated that "all residents will have to pay the consequences of the lack of foresight, management, and transparency."
According to the popular party, the council has already acknowledged its responsibility and paid an initial fine of €12,000. Now, the resolution proposal imposes a new fine of €69,108, which could be reduced by 20% if voluntary payment is requested before the final resolution. "We are talking about public health and the citizens' right to receive clear information," Seguí emphasised.
For his part, Mayor Biel Ferragut defended his management and clarified the figures provided by the PP. In statements to this newspaper, he pointed out that the council is working to improve the treatment plant and that the penalty has been reduced thanks to the claims submitted. "We are solving the technical problems and ensuring the quality of the water," he assured.
Impact on residents
The fine represents a heavy blow to the municipal coffers, which will have to bear this extraordinary expense. The residents of Sa Pobla have already suffered months of uncertainty regarding the potability of the water, and now see how public money is allocated to fines instead of improvements. The town hall has announced that it will invest in the renovation of the treatment plant to avoid future episodes.
The sanctioning file was opened in early 2026, and the final resolution is expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the council is considering whether to opt for voluntary payment to reduce the amount. Citizens can check the quality of the water in SINAC, although the town hall recommends boiling water or using filters until the plant is fully operational.
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