One element of daily life that has forever been intrinsically entrenched in Mallorcan life is water. Throughout history people have only settled throughout the island where there was a good source of water nearby. To this day, water and the sufficient supply of it, is of utmost importance here on the island of Mallorca, be that for agriculture, for the population of 800,000 Mallorcans, for the 11,000,000 annual visitors, for the upkeep of 25 golf courses, for the nourishing of livestock, you name it.

Even though the island is surrounded by water, agua has always been scarce here. Rivers have always been absent or are only in flow during a rainy spell. Over the centuries, the clever Mallorcan mind has thus acquired a clever attitude and cunning skills in collecting, preserving and safeguarding water, especially so in the countryside. Rainwater is collected in cisterns and transported by water tank lorries to where it is needed.

The water lorry shown here has long since gone out of business but, other camiones de agua are still fulfilling a daily service up and down the island.

The photo was chosen from my archive. It was taken near Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: March 7th, 2007. The time was 13:15:11.