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Commenting on a sensitive topic always has its risks, yet advancing environmental issues has never been easy.

For weeks, there has been an ongoing discussion about the water crisis in Maó, stemming from the failure to notify citizens when an excess of nitrates was detected in the municipal water supply. The political cost of this incident is clear, with resignations, an extraordinary council meeting, and the launch of further investigations. Many are watching closely.

For these reasons, the GOB waited a few days before discussing the broader consequences of this water crisis: the economic, environmental, and social uncertainties it brings.

The idea is to open more windows beyond the political crisis. We aim to open a window on reliable information from health authorities regarding nitrates, a window on tariff adjustments to better address current challenges, and a window on measures to reduce the environmental impact of bottled water consumption. Looking further, we also need to consider policies that prevent worsening nitrate levels year after year.

Those who read GOB’s statements directly have seen these reflections and can judge for themselves whether they seem appropriate. It is more challenging on other platforms, where headlines often obscure the content.

Observing the way information has been managed, there seems to be a clear interest in avoiding discussion that goes beyond political accountability, even leading to the irony of accusing those who address these broader impacts of partisan interests.

As though the issues people discuss daily were unimportant, as though it were forgotten that this political crisis, ongoing for a month, is rooted in a public health concern that affects people in their homes.

For those interested in looking beyond the headlines, we encourage revisiting the analysis and proposals we have offered. The information we provided on nitrates is not invented; it is sourced directly from the official Balearic Public Health website and can help people decide on actions at home.

Lowering the price of undrinkable water and increasing it for heavy users, regulating extractions within the municipality, setting up systems to provide quality water, and preparing for future contamination are, indeed, political actions. These are, specifically, water management policies, as legitimate and necessary as any other.