Is desalinated water used for other purposes besides drinking, such as irrigation or swimming pools, in Mallorca?

Desalinated water in Mallorca is primarily produced to meet the island’s growing demand for potable water, especially given its limited natural freshwater resources and the seasonal influx of tourists. However, beyond drinking and household consumption, desalinated water is indeed used for other purposes, including irrigation and maintaining amenities such as swimming pools in some areas. The Balearic Islands have adopted desalination as a strategic resource to reduce reliance on groundwater and seasonal reservoirs, which can become strained during the hot summer months.

While traditionally, agriculture on Mallorca relied heavily on rainwater and groundwater, the increasing scarcity and variability of natural water sources have encouraged the integration of desalinated water into irrigation systems, particularly in more water-intensive farming operations. This helps secure agricultural output without exerting further pressure on the ecosystem’s limited freshwater sources. For residential and commercial properties, desalinated water is occasionally used for filling swimming pools, especially in new developments or luxury resorts where water availability is critical and the quality of supply must be guaranteed consistently.

That said, using desalinated water for irrigation and recreational purposes is carefully managed due to the higher costs associated with desalination compared to conventional water sources. Consequently, most irrigation water still comes from treated reclaimed water or naturally available sources when possible. The Balearic government and local water authorities continue to promote sustainable water use policies, encouraging residents and businesses to adopt efficient water management practices alongside the use of desalinated water. Overall, while its primary role remains supplying drinking water, desalinated water in Mallorca plays a supplementary but important part in supporting the island’s agricultural and tourism infrastructure.