Today Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera, proposed to Miquel Mir, Balearic minister of environment, equipping Formentera with new regulated buoy fields in the area of the Ses Salines Park. Laid out in the "Posidonia Decree", the move would increase the number of environmentally-friendly anchorage points in this protected area and, according to President Juan, "should be implemented progressively across the island's coastline". Gathering in Palma, the two officials were joined by Antoni Tur, Formentera's councillor of environment; Llorenç Mas, Balearic general director of natural spaces, and Guillem Rosselló, manager of Abaqua. Minister Mir supported Formentera's proposal and committed "to move these efforts forward together with the other competent administrations", and added, "Formentera has already established itself as a leader in posidonia protection".

President Juan and Councillor Tur also noted that the new buoy fields must come with "a management service and waste collection for anchored boats to avoid possible spills like the one that occurred this August and forced the closure of Es Pujols beach". The Posidonia Decree classes seagrass meadows in Es Pujols as "high value". Juan asserted that "the strain on our coastline makes these measures essential" and described the present situation as "a threat to our environment". There are currently two buoy fields in Formentera waters: one stretching from S'Alga to S'Espalmador and one at Caló de s'Oli, which is classed as "high value".

Other issues addressed at the meeting included anchorage patrols and assistance. This year service has been partial and the Consell has requested that by the beginning of next season it be offered in full. Operations at the waste water treatment plant and water treatment for irrigation were also discussed. "We must continue working together, with the Balearic Ministry of Agriculture too, to close the water cycle on Formentera", said President Juan. The Consell has also insisted on the need to continue the local fight to curb the numbers of the pine processionary caterpillar. "We are aware that due to the particular characteristics of Formentera, with many far-flung constructions and the peculiarity of our forests, combating the plague here is more complicated than on other islands, but we cannot let our guard down and we must find the right mechanisms".

The president expressed her satisfaction with the councillor's willingness and offered to help the Balearic Government in "carrying forward these projects and working in coordination".

Information requests
Lastly, meeting attendees also discussed requests from the Balearic Ministry of Environment for information about Ses Salines Park and several establishments located on the premises. Minister Mir described the requests as "administrative, perfectly common and routine within the public administration". Before summer, Formentera Office of Territory managers and park managers employed by the Balearic Ministry of Environment met to discuss details of the requests. On 16 September, a new request related to the one made last October was issued. The Consell de Formentera intends to respond in the coming weeks.

21 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

In the last three years, efforts by the Consell de Formentera and Aqualia to digitise the urban water supply network have made it possible to signal indoor leaks and reduce water lost on the local grid by an average of 11,500 cubic metres a year.

These data were presented on Wednesday at a conferewnce on good practices in sustainable water management in tourism-oriented municipalities of the Balearics. Officials, including Antoni Tur, councillor of environment, gathered in Palma for the conference, part of LIFE WAT'SAVEREUSE, a project of the European Union.

Councillor Tur highlighted work by the Consell de Formentera and Aqualia to oversee the technological transformation of the municipal water service since the pioneering plan was launched in 2017. He drew attention to features like remotely controlled sector meters and improvements allowing fast and secure data consultation, alerts and remote operations, and service upgrades through integration with the Water Anaylitics Platform.

Tur also asserted that, at the conference, Formentera was held up as an example and a national benchmark, "since roughly 100% of our meters operate with remote reading technology". Finally, Tur stressed that the commitment to enhanced water management on the island "isn't just key to improving the service, it mitigates the impact of the effects of climate change".

Data
Formentera's 52-kilometre water grid was operating at 92.71% at year-end 2021, making it one of the best performing networks in the Balearic Islands. Digitised urban water has meant improvements for Formentera's supply network and end users alike. Detection of 18 incidents in 2021 prevented average losses of 530 litres an hour and exorbitant water bills.

Formentera's 2,900 meters issue real-time readings automatically, sending hourly updates to the control centre in Sant Francesc.

16 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Environment is pleased to report that over the next two Saturdays, 17 and 24 September, coastal cleanups will be held in Ses Pesqueres Altes (S'Estufador) and Es Carnatge, respectively. The first is organised by Plastic Free Formentera on the occasion of World Cleanup Day and benefits from the collaboration of volunteers at Qué Celeste and the Consell de Formentera, which will provide material for cleaning and rubbish collection. Participants should meet at 9.30am in front of La Mola church and wear appropriate footwear.

The other cleanup session will happen on 24 September in Es Carnatge as part of Qué Celeste Festival. Es Carnatge is one of the areas with the highest concentration of plastics on the island. The Consell de Formentera will provide support for the second session as well, as will volunteers from environmental organisations present at Qué Celeste Festival. A workshop will be held at Es Carnatge beach to raise awareness about microplastics and how they harm the environment. Participants should meet in Cala en Baster at 10.00am and wear appropriate footwear.

14 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Consell de Formentera will reopen Es Pujols beach (Platja des Pujols) to swimmers once yesterday's analysis by Balearic Islands Public Health (Salut Pública de les Illes Balears, SPIB) presents conditions required for swimming. The beach was closed to swimmers after the SPIB laboratory recommended temporary closure based on tests of water quality.

19 August 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera