The Font de Sa Costera, also known as the Font des Verger, is one of the fastest-flowing natural springs in the Balearic Islands. In spite of first appearances, the volume of water it moves every year is almost three times that of the reservoirs of Gorg Blau and Cuber.
Diagram of the functioning of Sa Costera (Mateos & González, 2009).
This is a spring of karstic origin, produced by the dissolution of lime rocks (limestones and dolomites). The water runs through the cracks and cavities of the rock until it reaches an impermeable base level (clays with gypsums) which force it to well up to the surface.
The origin of its exceptional flow is related to the existence of a large aquifer with the special structural characteristics of the zone, which concentrate the exit of the water at a single point.
Since the year 2009 Sa Costera has been declared one of the island’s drinking water resources thanks to an underwater pipe that connects it with the Port de Sóller.
Spring of Sa Costera.
Detail of the installations of the underwater pipe
In the past, the powerful flow of the spring was used as a source of energy, driving a hydroelectric power station known as Sa Fábrica, which operated from 1908 until 1962 and supplied the town of Sóller. Today it is still possible to see the water channelling system and a part of the installations of the power station.
Coastal waterfall, channelling the water from the spring and pipes of the hydroelectric power station.
Enormous pool of water for supplying the hydroelectric power station.
Turbines of the hydroelectric power station.
