Palma water rate hikes criticised

Palma water board EMAYA, came under further fire yesterday over its planned hike in water rates for the second year running. The PSM Majorcan Socialist Party city councillors said that the two key flaws which have brought about the ten per cent increase are “bad” management and poor planning on behalf of EMAYA - which also intends to raise rubbish collection rates. The PSM hinted at the political clash between the PP city council and the left wing local government being the real heart of the problem and that EMAYA is trying to put the blame on the Balearic government for the price hikes. As far as the PSM is concerned, the planned rate hikes will “increase the economic burden on the people of Palma” and will not be well received by consumers, especially amidst talks of problems with the water supply again this summer. On Monday, Balearic government water bosses admitted that the water situation in Majorca is not as healthy as initially believed - sparking fears of widespread shortages and restrictions - problems which have already hit parts of the island such as Algaida. EMAYA say that the reason for the price hikes is because of the coupon of water it is obliged to purchase from the desalination plants every year and that the price of desalinated water has also risen over the past 12 months.