This Tuesday, March 18, an information day was held on the new ordinance on the sustainable use of water, promoted by the Santa Eulària City Council with the support of the Alliance for Water. The day was held at the Jesús Cultural Center and was attended by more than 30 people from tourism companies and the construction sector. The day presented the new water saving and reuse measures established in the new ordinance for new buildings, renovations and improvements to existing homes. The day was welcomed by Carmen Ferrer, mayor of the municipality of Santa Eulària, who highlighted the importance of these measures for all to reduce pressure on aquifers in the current context of drought and guarantee the municipality's water supply.

The presentation of the new ordinance was given by Juan Calvo, director of the Water Alliance. First, he highlighted the serious drought situation that the island of Ibiza is experiencing, with underground water reserves below 34%, similar to the levels of the previous drought that the island suffered in 2016. He also highlighted that water control, saving and reuse measures are essential at all levels, from the averages that the Balearic Islands Government must implement at island level, to the measures to improve the urban water cycle that the municipality of Santa Eulària must accelerate, as well as the new measures that the citizens and businesses of this municipality must implement, with special importance in the case of large consumers, such as large hotels, housing developments or marinas. The director of the Alliance stressed that only in this way can the risks arising from the current water shortage be reduced and the water security of the municipality be guaranteed, both to guarantee the supply to the population and to ensure water for economic activities.

Among the measures, the obligation to implement the sensorization of all water uses inside tourist establishments (swimming pools, gardens, etc.) for greater control and optimization of water use was highlighted. In addition, the ordinance establishes mandatory measures for the installation of water economizers, rainwater collection and reuse of gray water (showers and toilets) for filling toilets. Also, obligations are established to improve the management of swimming pools by avoiding annual emptying and the recovery of filter backwash water is required. In addition, the ordinance focuses on reducing consumption in gardens, requiring the use of Mediterranean plants with low water consumption and avoiding the development of tropical gardens. Finally, the obligation to carry out a management plan and audits for large consumers who consume more than 10.000 cubic meters per year was highlighted.