Outrage in Ibiza over Egyptian luxury party that filled an artificial lake with tons of water in drought warning

A luxury Egyptian-themed party held on the island of Ibiza has sparked outrage among locals after organizers filled an artificial lake with up to 170 tons of water during a period of drought warnings. The private event took place at Can Coix quarry, a natural site near a protected area on the island, drawing criticism over noise pollution, traffic congestion, fire risks, and the excessive use of water. The gathering, which featured pyramids, sphinxes, light towers, and electronic music, was attended by 350 guests who accessed the venue through an exclusive guest list. Organizers used social media to promote the event under themes inspired by ancient Egypt, referencing figures such as Queen Nefertiti and Cleopatra. The controversy escalated after reports emerged that the event required between 60 and 170 tons of water to create an artificial lake. Local environmental groups have criticized this practice, highlighting the lack of regulations preventing unsustainable water usage. According to the Alliance for Water, a group advocating for improved water policies on the island, while the use of water during the event was technically legal due to the absence of specific restrictions, it raises serious ethical and sustainability concerns. They argue that local authorities should implement municipal ordinances to prevent such wasteful practices, especially in public spaces. According to the meteorological drought indicator maintained by the Council of the Sea and the Water Cycle, the island of Ibiza has faced moderate to severe drought conditions in recent years. In 2023 and 2024, the last two years for which data is available from the Ibizan station of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the island recorded drought levels of 1.28 and 0.96 points respectively. These statistics reflect the ongoing struggle with water scarcity on the island. The lack of oversight over water consumption has allowed incidents like the one at Can Coix to occur, where organizers reportedly used up to 170 tons of water. Diario de Ibiza, a local newspaper, calculated that the artificial lake had a surface area of approximately 850 square meters and a depth of 20 centimeters. However, the event company responsible for organizing the party stated they used no more than 60 tons of water, claiming it was recycled and reused within their greywater system. Using 60 tons of water equates to around 1,200 showers lasting five to ten minutes each, sufficient for a single person to shower daily for three and a half years or for a family of four to do so for a year. This figure underscores the scale of water waste, even when using the lower estimate provided by the organizers. The Alliance for Water pointed out the contradiction between the sustainability rhetoric often expressed by local councils and certain tourism-related practices on the island. They referenced other recent instances of high water consumption, including several hotels in Sant Antoni that used the municipal water supply to fill their pools earlier this year. Such actions highlight the need for stricter regulation and monitoring of water usage, particularly in areas already facing drought conditions. Organizers of the event have not responded to inquiries from local media regarding the amount of water used or the measures taken to ensure its sustainability. Meanwhile, residents continue to voice their frustration over what they see as an unnecessary extravagance during a time of water scarcity. The incident has reignited discussions about the balance between tourism-driven economic interests and the preservation of natural resources on the island.