The Council of Ministers has authorised the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of the Environment of the Government of the Balearic Islands for the execution of certain hydraulic works in this Autonomous Community.

The planned investment to be made by the Ministry of the Environment, through the General Directorate of Water, amounts to 17,408,000 euros, distributed in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 annuities.

The actions to be carried out and the planned expenditure in each case are detailed below:

– Supply to the Palma de Mallorca area. Consell-S’Estremera pipeline, which has a cost of 8,035,000 euros (to be executed and financed by the Balearic Government).

– General arteries of the desalination plant to the distribution networks, in Ibiza, which have a cost of 13,508,000 euros (to be paid by the Ministry of the Environment).

– Formentera desalination plant: General arteries and pipeline to distribution networks, which cost 5,450,000 euros (to be paid by the Balearic Government).

– Sanitation of the Alaior industrial estate, which has a cost of 4,000,000 euros (to be paid by the Balearic Government).

– Royal irrigation channels of the Albufera de Mallorca, which have a cost of 3,900,000 euros (to be executed and financed by the Ministry of the Environment).

The overall financial commitment of the Ministry of the Environment will be the subject of future specification in terms of the effective contracting and execution of the works.