Mallorca’s swimming pool boom sparks environmental alarm

Mallorca is facing growing concern over the sheer number of swimming pools being added to the island, with environmental campaigners warning that the construction boom is putting further pressure on land and water resources.

Three new pools every day

Environmental organisation Terraferida says 10,680 swimming pools have been built in Mallorca over the past nine years, with around 30 per cent located on rural land.

Its latest analysis found that 1,680 pools were constructed between 2015 and 2024, equivalent to around three every day.

The figures are based on an examination of aerial photographs and land-use changes across the island. Indoor and removable pools were not included, meaning the true number could be even higher.

Terraferida has raised particular concerns about pools being built on Mallorca’s countryside, where they are often accompanied by lawns, terraces and other landscaped areas.

Growing pressure on water

The issue comes at a particularly sensitive time for Mallorca, with water supplies already under pressure following an exceptionally hot summer.

The Balearics recorded its hottest August since records began in 1961, while rainfall was significantly below the normal average. Water reserves across the islands fell to 38 per cent during August, with large areas already under alert or pre-alert conditions.

Campaigners say rural swimming pools are especially concerning because they frequently form part of much larger landscaped properties.

Terraferida spokesperson Antònia Fuster warned that lawns surrounding pools can consume thousands of cubic metres of water every year, adding another demand on already stretched resources.

Holiday lets and property prices

The environmental group also links Mallorca’s pool boom to the growth of holiday rentals, rural house construction and property speculation.

A swimming pool can significantly increase a property’s appeal to holidaymakers, while also adding value in an increasingly expensive property market.

The concentration is particularly striking in some of Mallorca’s most popular municipalities. Calvia has more than 5,200 pools, equivalent to roughly one for every nine residents, while Llucmajor has more than 4,300.

The debate highlights the growing tension between Mallorca’s booming property and tourism sectors and the island’s finite natural resources.

With water restrictions already affecting parts of Mallorca, campaigners are questioning how sustainable the continued expansion of private swimming pools can be as the island faces hotter and drier conditions.