Salt water is infiltrating underground supplies

Ten of the 21 underground water tables in Majorca have been infiltrated by salt water, according to a report by the Balearic environment ministry's hydrology board. They were named as Andratx, Formentor, Almadrava (Pollensa), Inca-Sa Pobla, Calvia, Na Burguesa, Pla de Palma, Sa Marineta, Marina de Llevant and Llucmajor-Campos. They are all on the coast and have been over-exploited, the report said. In some cases, the salt content is as much as 20 times above the maximum limit allowed. The worst water table is that of Na Burguesa, where the composition of the water is similar to that of sea water. The water tables in good condition are Deia, Puig Roig, Fonts de Soller, Fonts (Esporles, Valldemossa and Bunyola), S'Estremera, Alaro, Ses Fonts Ufanes, Artà, Manacor and Felanitx.