Summer water restrictions

THE regional government has warned that there could be water restrictions in Mallorca again this summer.

Councillor Miquel Mir last week visited the supply con­ trol centre in Son Pacs and announced that certain towns, even in coastal areas, may be forced to limit consumption.

However, Sr Mir added that this is more a forecast than an official statement, as it depends on the level of rainfall over the coming months.

Further, the councillor pointed out that Mallorca, just like the rest of the Balearic Islands, is currently enduring the effects of climate change and that rain is becoming increasingly scarce.

Previous years have seen restrictions being enforced in a number of towns, a situation that Sr Mir believes could be repeated this year in areas previously unaffected by the limitations including coastal resorts, where the large influx of visitors leads to a spike in water consumption over the summer.

The decision to enforce restrictions for consumers falls to individual town halls and not the regional government.

Sr Mir highlighted the good work carried out by the Govern in recent years to reduce leaks in the public system to a mere 1.5 per cent.

PALMA lifeguards will go on an indefinite strike from Sunday May 21.

As previously reported by the Euro Weekly News, the sector is up in arms over the fact that improvements to salaries and working conditions that were agreed last year have not yet been implemented.

Spokespeople for the Lifeguards Union have warned that the entire workforce ­ 45 workers during the low season and 60 during the high season ­ will walk out and leave the capital city’s beaches without coverage until the managing company, Emergencies Setmil, carries out the promised contract improvements.

The Palma lifeguards carried out two strikes last year to demand better working conditions, which resulted in a three­way agreement between the employees, the company and Palma Town Hall to boost the workforce, increase wages, improve infrastructures and bring the start of the season forward to the beginning of April this year.

But none of these promises has yet materialised, leaving the workers no option but to take industrial action.

Emergencies Setmil is accusing Palma Council of not paying them enough to carry out the improvements.

Too hot to work

BUSINESSES in Mallorca will be forced to stop certain activities during heatwaves this summer.

The Spanish government has passed a series of measures to protect workers during periods of extreme heat, including stopping high­risk activities at specific times of the day when there is an orange or red alert for high temperatures issued by Sate weather agency Aemet.

Each case will be assessed based on the characteristics of each job and will oblige the employer to adapt the working conditions, including reducing or modifying working hours.

Police unite

THE Local Police forces of Palma and Marratxi have launched a cooperation programme to act together in areas bordering both towns. One such area is Can Garriga urbanisation, which representatives of both departments visited this week.

Nadal back

MANACOR tennis legend

Rafa Nadal was seen practising at his local academy this week, quelling fears about his physical condition following the publication of a video last week that showed him apparently still suffering from an injury sustained during the second round of the Australia Open in January.

Congratulations!

THREE Mallorca female football stars were present on the celebration bus with FC Barcelona that toured the streets of the Catalan capital this week after both the male and female squads won the Spanish league.

Rain coming

MALLORCA is bracing itself for the effects of an atmospheric phenomenon called DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels) that is expected to form between Morocco and Cadiz this week, bringing cloudy skies to the island on Friday followed by strong rainfall and lower temperatures.

Drinking water

THE Balearic Water Agency announced an investment of €18 million to channel drinking water between Petra and Manacor as part of a wider project to improve the supply to the Levante area.

Waiting lists

PRIMARY health care activity at health centres and hospitals in Mallorca so far this year is higher than before the Covid pandemic in 2019. This increase has enabled appointment waiting times to be reduced by up to 52 per cent.