Ibiza Reused Just 2.6% of Its Treated Wastewater in 2025 as Desalinated Water Production Rose

October 29, 2026

Ibiza reused just 2.6% of its treated wastewater in 2025, highlighting the challenge of making better use of water resources on an island heavily dependent on desalination. The findings form part of the 2025 Ibiza Sustainability Report, presented by Ibiza & Formentera Preservation on 27 October 2026.

The report recorded 13.36 million cubic metres of wastewater treated on the island during 2025, of which approximately 0.35 million cubic metres was reused. Meanwhile, desalinated water production increased by 5.51% to 13.94 million cubic metres.

The findings point to a gap between improving wastewater treatment and ensuring that more of the resulting water can be reused for suitable purposes, including irrigation and certain urban applications.

Better Wastewater Treatment Following the Opening of Sa Coma

One of the positive developments highlighted in the report was an improvement in the quality of treated wastewater.

Mariano Juan, vice-president of the Ibiza Island Council, said the new wastewater treatment plant at Sa Coma had replaced the previous facility, which had experienced problems treating the volume of wastewater it received. The new plant has helped improve treatment performance and compliance with sanitary requirements.

However, better treatment does not automatically make all wastewater suitable for reuse. The quality of the incoming water, particularly its salinity, remains an important factor in determining what can be done with the treated output.

The distinction is significant for Ibiza, where the pressure on water resources increases during the summer tourist season.

Salinity Remains a Major Obstacle to Reuse

According to the report, saltwater entering the wastewater system is one of the principal obstacles to expanding reuse.

High salinity can limit the suitability of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation and other applications, even when the treatment process has successfully reduced contaminants.

Reducing the entry of seawater into the sewage network, improving infrastructure and ensuring that regenerated water meets the requirements of its intended use are therefore important steps towards increasing reuse.

The Water Alliance, a group advocating improvements to water management in the Balearic Islands, has also highlighted the issue. Following a visit to the Sa Coma treatment plant in April 2026, the organisation said the facility had the equipment needed for additional treatment to regenerate water, but the salinity of incoming wastewater remained a barrier to its reuse.

The challenge is consequently not limited to the treatment plant itself. It also involves the condition of the wider sewerage network and the infrastructure needed to distribute regenerated water to users.

Where Is Ibiza's Reused Water Going?

The report identifies Ibiza Golf Course, Ibiza Airport and the Sa Rota reservoir among the facilities using significant volumes of treated wastewater.

The Sa Rota reservoir began a pilot scheme in 2025, with the aim of increasing the volume of water reused. Expanding suitable uses could help reduce the demand placed on other water supplies.

Regenerated wastewater can be valuable for purposes that do not require drinking-water quality, provided it receives the necessary treatment and meets the applicable safety standards. Potential applications include agricultural irrigation, watering parks and gardens, street cleaning and other authorised uses.

However, expanding these applications requires more than improving water quality. Distribution networks, storage facilities, suitable treatment processes and reliable demand from potential users are also necessary.

Cyprus Offers a Mediterranean Comparison

During the presentation, Inma Saranova, executive director of Ibiza & Formentera Preservation, highlighted Cyprus as an example of a Mediterranean destination that makes greater use of treated wastewater.

The comparison presented at the event indicated that Cyprus uses 69% of its treated wastewater to irrigate crops and green spaces, while 27% goes towards replenishing and storing water for irrigation. The remaining 4% is discharged into the sea.

The figures illustrate the potential for expanding wastewater reuse in water-stressed destinations. However, differences in infrastructure, water quality, regulation and demand mean that the same approach cannot necessarily be transferred directly to Ibiza.

Saranova called for faster investment in reuse infrastructure alongside efforts to increase demand for regenerated water.

Desalination Remains Important to Ibiza's Water Supply

Desalinated water production on Ibiza reached 13.94 million cubic metres in 2025, an increase of 5.51% compared with the previous year.

Desalination provides an important source of water for an island with limited freshwater resources, but producing desalinated water requires energy and substantial infrastructure. Improving wastewater reuse offers an opportunity to make better use of water that has already been collected and treated.

The sustainability report places water management within a wider set of environmental challenges facing Ibiza, including growing demand linked to residents and tourism.

Increasing the proportion of wastewater that can safely be reused would help diversify the island's water resources. Achieving that goal will depend on addressing salinity, improving distribution infrastructure and developing practical uses for regenerated water.

The 2025 figures show that Ibiza has made progress in wastewater treatment, but a much larger share of the water processed will need to be put to suitable use if the island is to reduce waste and make better use of its available resources.

POSTED BY IBIZA ONE STOP

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