According to the Balearic Government's water resources directorate, there are seven municipalities with restrictions on water use. The directorate points out that the number may be higher, as not all municipalities communicate measures to the Abaqua water agency.
Soller is the most recent town hall to adopt measures - the first time in 25 years, it was pointed out when the mayor's decree was issued on August 28. These are standard measures, such as a ban on using mains water for swimming pools, for watering gardens and for cleaning vehicles and terraces.
In neighbouring Fornalutx, there have been restrictions since July 2. These are stricter than those in Soller. For example, washing machines and dishwashers can't be used between midnight and 7am. The town hall has referred to "excessive water consumption" but also to leaks. On Thursday, a reminder was issued, urging "great caution to avoid the greater evil of having to cut off water to all homes during certain time periods".
Another Soller neighbour, Deia, first issued a warning about the need to reduce water consumption on July 1. On August 4, the mayor announced that he was stopping the supply of potable water to the Hotel La Residencia, the areas of S'Empaltada, Coves de Can Puigserver, La Cala and Llucalcari as well as to scattered homes along the Soller road.
Esporles is another Tramuntana municipality with restrictions. Its water problems are not new. The latest decree, dated August 21, prohibits - among other things - watering and cleaning with mains water and the filling of swimming pools.
In the Pla (Plain) region, Algaida and Montuiri have had measures in place since June. In Algaida, supply has been limited by days and times in order to "guarantee an equitable and sustainable distribution of the resource". Montuiri has standard restrictions regarding watering and cleaning.
Pollensa also appears on the list, though this relates to the fault in the pipes from the Alcudia desalination plant that resulted in cuts to supplies in late June. This was all sorted out by the middle of July, but a town hall decree banning watering, cleaning and the filling of pools remains in place.
Two municipalities not on the list are Arta and Estellencs. On March 31 this year, Arta introduced an emergency plan and set up a drought committee. One of its first actions was to issue a warning about responsible water consumption due to the drought pre-alert. From June 2024 to March 2025, there were restrictions in areas such as Colonia Sant Pere. The town hall has so far not found it necessary to implement new measures.
In Estellencs on July 30, Mayor Bernat Isern limited water consumption to 90 litres per resident and tourism accommodation place. Here again, a ban was imposed on watering, cleaning and the filling of pools.