C.M.W..MaóAn analysis carried out by IGME (the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute) and recently published on the Balearic Government´s web page reveals that the level of nitrate contamination in some of the island´s water supplies is reaching dangerous proportions. Whilst the maximum level permitted in drinking water under E.U. legislation is 50 milligrams per litre, the reading in Es Migjorn´s aquifer is 140 mg./l.
The wells which supply Es Castell, Sant Lluís, Maó and Sant Climent have shown readings of 130 milligrams per litre and those to the northeast and southeast of Ciutadella have registered up to 140 milligrams per litre of water. This is the first time that analyses of Ciutadella´s water have shown readings exceeding 100 mg./l.
Analyses of supplies in other areas of the island show the presence of nitrates to be below 50 mg./l., although only Es Mercadal district´s supply is beneath the "risk" level which is set at 25 mg./l. The Albaida well shows a low level of nitrate present, varying between 10 and 20 milligrams per litre (which has dropped from the 58 mg./l. registered in 2002) and Fornells´ reading is below the 5 mg./l. level.
The report shows a considerable increase in the presence of nitrates in much of the island´s drinking water compared to previous analyses carried out in 2003 and 2004, especially in the Ciutadella area where the level has risen by 61 mg./litre.
The deterioration in the quality of the supply is due to filtrations from septic tanks, excessive use of fertilisers and insecticides by farmers and an accumulation of animal waste products.
