On Thursday, the combined levels of the Cúber and Gorg Blau reservoirs in the Tramuntana Mountains were 29.5%. A psychological barrier of 30% having been breached, there is sign of some rain next week, but signs of rain don't always mean there is any. On Monday this week, the Tramuntana was on yellow alert for rain; there wasn't a drop. In August, although there were storms, average rainfall was lower than normal.
Heavy rains will come at some point, but currently the Cúber reservoir is only at 27.8%, Gorg Blau better at 30.5%. The reservoirs are managed by Palma's municipal services agency Emaya. The city is the main recipient of the reservoirs' water, Emaya noting that natural springs supply 17% of Palma's water.
At an absolute maximum, the reservoirs can supply 12 cubic hectometres per annum. The average annual contribution is 7.7. Balearic Government figures for 2022 indicated that the total supply of water in Mallorca was 107 cubic hectometres, with consumption of 78.
Recent research by the government and the University of the Balearic Islands considered three scenarios for consumption by 2035. These ranged from 117 to 130 cubic hectometres. The reservoirs have to therefore be considered in terms of the overall supply of water, the big bet going forward being a greater use of desalination.