Official Data Show Sharp Drop in Balearic Bathing Water Quality Since 2019

Overview

• Balearic health authority figures presented in October report Mallorca’s ‘excellent’ bathing sites falling from 89% in 2019 to 68% in 2025, with three zones now rated insufficient versus one in 2019.
• Ibiza’s share of top-rated sites dropped from 78% to 61%, while Menorca edged up from 77% to 80% and Formentera maintained all tested zones at excellent.
• Officials at the marine biodiversity conference in Palma attributed the deterioration largely to untreated or poorly treated wastewater discharged through underwater outfalls or directly into the sea.
• Chronic capacity shortfalls in Palma’s sewer network, designed for a far smaller population, lead to regular overflows during heavy rain and peak tourist months.
• Ecologists warned of damage to Posidonia seagrass meadows that underpin oxygen production and coastal protection, highlighting risks beyond short-term beach closures such as June’s shutdown at Can Pere Antoni.