The Balearic Government has backed out of the project to provide Es Castell with a drinking water plant despite the original agreement being that it would share the cost 50/50 with the Town Council. Governmental support now will be limited to providing a guarantee to enable the Council to apply for a 15-year loan to cover the full cost of the project.
The reason cited by the Government for its action is that the project has been changed. When the agreement was signed in 2007 the plan was to remove nitrates from the drinking water through reverse osmosis, using the existing plant at Muro. This has now been altered to a biological system which would cost a lot more, although, as it produces no waste, it would not require an outlet pipe and also uses less electricity.
However, should Es Castell Council revert to the original plan then the Government would stand by its agreement to provide half the funds needed.
The Mayor of Es Castell, Juan Cabrera, has asked the Regional Councillor Albert Moragues to intercede with the State Water Resources Office on behalf of the Council to resolve the problem and has also asked for a meeting with the Balearic President, Francesc Antich. Moragues will ask those responsible in Water Resources to modify the original agreement to include the new cost of the biological treatment plant but to keep the share of the finance at 50% for both parties.
Cabrera commented that everybody knew that the cost of the project would be reflected in the tariffs but that he hoped that it would be 50% of the cost and not the total amount.