Water restrictions in the Balearics: drought, watering, what is banned

The Balearics' water reserves stood at 45 percent in June 2026, down from 48 percent in June 2025. But the situation varies sharply by island, with Menorca falling sharply (34 percent, against 42 percent a year earlier) while Ibiza improved (47 percent, against 34 percent in 2025). Several municipalities have already introduced concrete restrictions. Here is what is banned, and where.

What is the real state of water reserves?

The weather explains part of this decline: rainfall in June 2026 stayed at 0.3 l/m2 against a usual 16.5 l/m2 (a 98 percent drop), in one of the hottest months recorded since 1961. Around 80 percent of the Balearic territory was in drought pre-alert at that point, with the Pla de Mallorca and Arta already on alert.

Which restrictions are in force, and where?

• Esporles (Mallorca): consumption capped at 340 litres/day/household since July 2026, fines of 720 to 2,500 euros for a serious breach, possible disconnection for repeat offenders. Banned: washing vehicles, filling private pools, watering gardens outside sanitary necessity.
• Mao (Menorca): a total ban on washing vehicles with mains water, filling and emptying pools banned, watering ornamental lawns banned, enforced through smart meters already installed.
• Es Mercadal (Menorca): watering limited to two days a week between 8pm and 8am, new pools banned; actual measured consumption reaches 450 litres/resident/day, against a 250-litre target.
• Soller (Mallorca): restrictions extended to the tourist sector, municipal pools and beach showers suspended, filling private pools banned.

These restrictions are not a one-off summer measure: they stay in force as long as the drought index justifies it, reassessed monthly by the Balearic Government's water portal (CAIB).

Can desalination solve the problem?

It already covers a significant share of supply, but still a minority against groundwater. Several projects are under way: an extension in Alcudia, a 4th line at the Santa Eularia plant (Ibiza), due to add 6,000 m3/day around 2028, and a more ambitious project led by Palma's town hall (up to 36 hm3/year, targeted for 2035). Formentera, meanwhile, relies almost entirely on desalination for its drinking water. In Menorca, only one plant currently operates (Ciutadella, since 2019); a portable unit is due to be installed urgently at Mao's harbour for summer 2026, pending a more permanent project on a 5 to 6-year horizon.

Who should cut back the most, residents or tourism?

This is a genuine point of tension. In Ciutadella, 50 percent of municipal water consumption comes from just 2.5 percent of users, the tourist establishments. At the "Menys Turisme, Mes Vida" protest on 26 July 2026 in Palma, one demand focused precisely on this: asking that any future cuts target big consumers (hotels, golf courses) before residents. As things stand, no official measure from the Balearic Government has enshrined that priority: it is a citizen demand, not yet public policy. The Balearic golf federations have also asked, unsuccessfully, to be exempted from watering their courses with reclaimed water.

What happens if an individual breaks the restrictions?

Fines vary by municipality: from 720 to 2,500 euros in Esporles for a serious breach. One concrete case shows how strict enforcement can be on the business side: a hotel in Menorca was fined 5,700 euros for illegally extracting 40,000 litres/day through an undeclared well.

Frequently asked questions

Can you still fill a pool in the Balearics in 2026?

It depends entirely on your municipality: several (Mao, Soller, Es Mercadal) already ban it for private pools. Check your municipality's order (bando) before filling or building a pool.

Do the restrictions mostly apply in summer?

No, they stay in force as long as the drought index justifies it, not only during peak tourist season.

For more everyday habits, our guide to tap water in the Balearics and our article on overtourism in the Balearics round out this picture.

Restrictions and reservoir levels change monthly; check your municipality's current order before you act. Information verified in August 2026. The Daily Baleares is an AI-assisted publication with human review.