The Sa Llavanera torrent, in the vicinity of the old water treatment plant, has been discharging water since last Friday with an unbearable odour, according to complaints from neighbours and shopkeepers in the area. This Monday, Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera was able to verify in situ the presence of this flow of water and the strong stench emanating from the channel.
José Manuel, a nearby resident, assures that «today (Monday) it's nothing, on Saturday and Sunday you couldn't be around here». The resident points directly to the old sewage treatment plant, located a short distance away, as a possible source of the problem: «I don't know what they do at the treatment plant, but every so often this water comes out of there».
Unrest in the shops
Javier, another affected neighbour, shares a similar perception. He says that this situation has been repeated several times in recent months. «We thought this problem was a thing of the past, but now we see that it is not. This is the third or fourth time it has happened this season, although it usually only lasts a few hours,» he says. In his opinion, this is an issue that has been overlooked: «I don't know why it keeps happening if it was supposed to have been resolved» In addition to the unpleasant odour, Javier complains of further consequences: «It's not just the unbearable smell; this problem also means there are many more mosquitoes than normal».
Juan Manuel, who also lives in the area, explains how this situation affects daily activities: «On Sunday, we wanted to go out for ice cream, but we couldn't bear the stench, so we went back home».
From nearby businesses, the unease is also evident. María, who works in an ice cream parlour in the area, describes the situation at the weekend as «a sewer on the terrace». «You couldn't stay there because of the stench,’ she says. "There are several customers who often come here who had to leave because they couldn't stay there. Fortunately, we have the windows and we can close them», she adds. María also recalls that this type of spillage used to happen when it rained, but on this occasion there has been no recent rainfall: «It used to happen when it rained, but now I don't know why it is happening, when it was supposed to have been solved». In addition to this situation, he complains, «this street is so dirty, and I don't know how long it's been a long time since it's been cleaned».
Nacho, who works in a nearby butcher's shop, points out that the comments from customers are a clear reflection of the problem: «When people go into the butcher's shop they only have two issues: the heat and the smell outside». He concludes: "When they come in they are relieved on both counts. What I don't understand is how the neighbours put up with it, because outside it's unbearable.
The response
The Govern recalled that the old treatment plant currently functions as a central pumping station that sends the flow to the new Sa Coma treatment plant. «This facility is treating around 21,000 m³ per day and its analyses are among the best in the Balearic Islands», they said.
The spillage detected on Monday was "the result of a specific failure in the Jesús / Can Pep Simó pumping system, which has now been resolved. The overflow has ceased in less than 20 minutes", according to them, and they also pointed out that no prior warning had been received of the incident. ‘In any case, a specific alarm will be installed in less than 15 days to anticipate future similar situations» they concluded.