Today Is Not Over Yet

Farms and waters of Formentera

When we first came to live in Formentera , we soon noticed the ubiquitous presence of sheep, coupled with a noticeable absence of cows. As a consequence fresh milk and other dairy products are hard to find. Of course, after a few months, we came across the occasional dairy farm, but they are definitely few and far in-between. Milk and butter are not a traditional part of the daily food intake of the locals, but thanks to the booming tourist industry, Formentera ferry’s a constant flow of fresh produce and milk products. In commercial quantities, cheese is chiefly imported in from the island of Menorca or from the north of Spain. Some cheese is produce locally, and often blended with goat milk, which is uniquely Formentera.

Now that we live on the island of Formentera for a year, it’s interesting to find and ever present importance of drinking water. Here we are surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, which is a lot of water. But, we don not live right next to the sea, most residence don’t; coastal area are the domain of all Hotels Formentera . Locals rarely get to see the sea on a daily basis. But, for the occasion of the World Day for Water which is celebrated today because of the United Nations initiative in 1993.

Reservoirs are currently nearly full to capacity. But, in order to avoid a shortage of drinking water in the future, the Govern Balear has made substantial investments over the last few years in water desalination plants. The Balearic government also announced plans to invest large amounts of money in waste-water treatment between now and 2015, thanks in part to a substantial aid from the central government in Madrid.  The daily irrigation of tourist facilities, public green zones and a smattering of golf courses consume an unbelievable amount of water. Good water practices seems paramount because our lives here on this amazing island, depends upon water, the small farm and the tourist industry bringing prosperity.