The Government of the Balearic Islands has taken a significant step towards strengthening water security across the archipelago by launching the tender for the drafting of projects for three new seawater desalination plants in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. This initiative addresses specific needs identified on each island and aims to ensure a reliable supply of drinking water, particularly in areas facing the greatest pressure on water resources.
The process is being carried out through the public entity responsible for water cycle management and includes the procurement of technical assistance for feasibility studies, project design and the full administrative and environmental permitting required for construction. The tender is structured into three separate lots, with a total budget of 2.9 million euros, excluding taxes, and a deadline for submissions set for March 12.
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Three new desalination plants in Mallorca, Menorca and Eivissa to strengthen water security across the islands
Each desalination plant is initially planned with an estimated production capacity of 15,000 cubic metres per day, subject to technical assessment and potential adjustment during the project development phase. These facilities will provide a stable and alternative water source, helping to reduce pressure on overexploited or degraded groundwater bodies, support their recovery and improve water availability for agriculture and rural areas, particularly under conditions of climatic variability and recurring droughts.
In Mallorca, the new plant will strengthen supply in the southeastern part of the island, improving water availability for several municipalities and coastal settlements and complementing planned upgrades to the main distribution network. In Menorca, the project will address water quality challenges linked to nitrate contamination in groundwater, securing safe drinking water for affected municipalities. In Eivissa, the desalination facility will reinforce a highly stressed island-wide system, significantly reducing reliance on water transfers, easing groundwater overexploitation and enabling the extension of supply to areas currently without access to the service.
The contract also covers the preparation of environmental documentation and the processing of all required authorisations, with the objective of identifying the most suitable locations, optimising plant performance and implementing advanced desalination technologies that reduce environmental impact and energy consumption. These projects form part of a broader strategy to modernise water infrastructure in the Balearic Islands, ensuring long-term water resilience, environmental protection and the general interest of the population.