I first visited Puerto Pollensa more than 25 years ago – and I keep coming back.
It has everything I need for a holiday, not least the glorious location. Crucially, it has managed to preserve much of its traditional character despite the pressures of modern tourism.
At the same time, there is no surprise that the resort has become an increasingly popular destination and that new development has continued to emerge.
Perhaps now a price is being paid.
On the last day of my latest holiday, September 5, red flags went up on Albercuix beach (between the port and the start of the Pine Walk) because, I was told, the sea was too polluted.
It was a shock.
In recent years, I have welcomed the traffic-free seafront, the daily cleaning of footpaths and clearing of litter, the signs encouraging the maintenance of clean beaches and the notices proclaiming the ecological significance of the Bay of Pollensa. Such environmental pride can only be applauded.
Yet here, in peak season, we had lifeguards blowing whistles to warn beachgoers to keep out of the water because it was too contaminated.
A cursory online check revealed this was not the first time. There was an account of a similar scare only last July.
Meanwhile, almost three years ago, the Balearic environment ministry was reported to be urging Pollensa town hall to fix "deficiencies identified in four pipes that discharge into the sea”.
When I raised the issue, locals pointed to a number of possible factors - the sewage system could not cope with growing residential development, the increasing number of boats in the bay, the impact of a storm with torrential rain, changing wind directions …
I do not know how long the latest restrictions were in place.
Whatever, I find it difficult to understand how such a beautiful and seemingly prosperous resort can allow this to happen in 2023, even if it is only very occasionally and in certain circumstances.
(It must also be admitted that the UK is also struggling to combat its own river and sea pollution).
Ideally, I’d like to think that a strategy has already been drawn up, the funds allocated and the urgency agreed to tackle this problem in a wonderful corner of Mallorca.
Most likely I’ll be back next year, but it would be reassuring to believe that the days of the red flags are over.
Peter Kay,
Sheffield, UK.
7 comments
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Hanser, you are so right, the most environmentally and people friendly option for the RED cable would most certainly be through the old power station. They could utilise existing infrastructure and avoid destroying an area of natural beauty. But that's not looking likely. RED are currently favouring two separate cables, both running across the Bay of Pollensa. One is proposed to enter Mallorca via the beach at S'illot (yep, the very spot where generations of Mallorcan children have enjoyed school holidays at the hostel and learned about nature, in the beauty of the natural reserve). RED are planning to land the cable close to the beach, building a 'centre' to receive the power cable. It will then snake through country lanes within metres of people's homes. An electricity cable of this voltage is recommended to be at a distance of at least 200 metres from dwellings. That appears to have been forgotten. Profit over people. Also, RED appear uninterested in the health of the sea posidonia (the water plant that keeps the water clear) in this particular bay. RED ships have been spotted scoping the lines across this particular bay and the company have indicated to Government that this is their preferred route. Yes - it is absolutely insane. We can only pray that this new Government sees sense, challenges RED and ops for the least environmentally damaging route. Sadly, I'm not holding my breath.
Lisa JuliaThe proposal to land a cable at S'illot is one of four options and I suspect (hope?) it is just a distraction from the most-likely route, into Port Alcudia. However, Mallorca's energy demand is now so great that electricity supplies from the Peninsular are the only alternative to building another power station on the island.
Last year while swimming at the far end of Pine Walk, had to come out of the water due to the stench. Wont be back
Peter is spot on. The port is lovely and it’s a total disgrace that the council are happy to take the tourist money, but refuse to deal with the consequences… ie more waste. It’s not rocket science. Spend a few euros on the sewage system and stop dumping raw human waste in the beautiful bay. And sorry to be the bearer of bad news Peter, but the government is about to run two giant electrical cables across the bay … destroying more iconic natural beaches. Seriously - the coast line is Mallorca’s bread and butter - when will they start to protect it???
This letter sums it up very well. The town has so much going for it, all lovely except for this dreadful problem. It wouldn't be difficult to fix it permanently; it just needs to be top priority. There is a fault in the sewers of just two streets. If it's not dealt very soon, the reputation of this jewel will be lost.
Hugely overrated place with terrible bars and restaurants.
This has been an annual problem for some years now. And let’s not beat about the bush. It’s got shit swilling around in it. Awful.