This has been one of the wettest periods that I can remember since relocating to Mallorca nearly thirty years ago. Much as some residents might moan, it is critical that we have a good water supply on hand before the busy tourism season begins. When the reservoirs are low or at worse, nearly empty, this results in hordes of water trucks being relied upon throughout the summer months. It’s a precarious situation and countless locals are impacted adversely, particularly in the more barren parts of the island, such as the central plain. Water is often cut off or runs in a dribble while holidaymakers splash away to their hearts content. This breeds resentment and fury.
This is why the theme of water needs to touch the psyche of island hotel groups and private owners, but it’s tricky. Many pampered guests of five-stars - in particular those who pay a fortune per night in the height of the season – feel they deserve to take a bath or swim in a private hotel suite pool whether the island is dying of thirst or not.
I can understand the mentality which is that if you’ve paid up around €2,000 for a room per night, you should jolly well be able to use as much water as you like. It’s the same with those who book holiday fincas at extortionate rates. I’ve passed local rented properties in Soller where no one is at home, yet the lights are blazing in and outside, and air con units are on full throttle. It makes me wince but again, it’s a kind of mindset that says if I’m paying a fortune, I want my money’s worth.
The only way through this mire is education. We need rental property and hotel owners to underline to their guests how critical it is in the tourist centric months to conserve and respect the island’s water supply. Hotel guests should be encouraged to swim in the sea and enjoy a quick shower morning and night. Baths really should be outlawed during the summer, as it’s genuinely irresponsible. Any thinking and rational guests who have the issue clearly explained to them or in literature left in their rooms, should cotton on fast. It’s not about making guests feel guilty but rather enlightening them as to the state of affairs when they arrive here during the summer.
Guests should feel welcome and not lectured to in a didactic manner while they’re here for a well-deserved break, but they do need to understand the constraints we all face. It’s reasonable to expect them to care about the local environment and sustainability, just as they should do when they’re back home.