A carbon footprint: the full water cycle in the Balearic Islands

Abstract

The integral urban water cycle of the Balearic Islands (Spain) is composed of desalination plants, extraction wells, water distribution networks, treatment plants and sewerage systems. This article presents the results of the carbon and water footprint of each of the islands that form the Balearic archipelago, finding differences between those islands with a greater contribution of groundwater, such as Mallorca, and those that are fed exclusively with desalinated water, such as Formentera. Water consumption on these islands is highly seasonal, which results in peaks in demand, which are mainly supplied by desalination. This article aims to be the starting point for assessing the water and energy status of the facilities related to drinking water consumption in the archipelago to be able to take measures aimed at ecological transition in this sector. The results obtained show that seawater desalination plants have the largest carbon footprint, mainly due to their high electricity consumption.