Proposing a shock plan to tackle the increasing “water stress” situation on the island of Tenerife, with more frequent modulations and cuts in water supply for the primary sector, Socialist Group president in the Cabildo of Tenerife, Pedro Martín, highlighted five actions and two plans to reduce water losses. Martín emphasised the importance of declaring a state of emergency for the works to be completed quickly.
Martín stated, “We are not against declaring a water emergency. We urge the government group of the Cabildo of Tenerife to declare an emergency for this works plan, supported by reports from the Agriculture department, rainfall records, and the condition of the ponds. This is crucial for quick actions.” He added, “A general water emergency declaration may be time-consuming and could have adverse effects, potentially prioritising agricultural water use.”
The plan aims to add approximately 40,000 extra cubic meters of irrigation water per day to the system, with an investment of at least 65 million euros, consisting of five actions and two plans to minimise losses.
The socialist proposal involves constructing regional desalination plants in the Northeast, located in San Cristóbal de La Laguna and the Güímar Valley. These projects require a 40 million euro investment for an additional 40,000 cubic meters. Environmental impact assessments and reports are in progress, along with the expansion of the Fonsalía and Granadilla de Abona treatment plants.
Meanwhile, Martín called for the reactivation of the portable desalination plant in Güímar, which had ceased operation under the current government.
Additionally, the Isla Baja treatment plant will be inaugurated, crucial for providing water to Tenerife’s primary sector, especially in an area with high water demand.
Another significant move for Isla Baja is the connection between La Orotava Valley and the agricultural zone of Isla Baja.
On the Santa Cruz treatment plant (known as the Buenos Aires treatment plant), Martín urged all political parties to collaborate on this crucial initiative, which is essential for increasing water supply to the primary sector for irrigation purposes.
Besides these projects, the former island president advocated for a multi-year plan to continue waterproofing the island’s ponds, which suffered significant water losses when his administration began. Several projects have been completed, with ongoing work on the Benijos ravine pond.
An estimated four to six million euros will be allocated to this goal in a multi-year action plan.
Pedro Martín also remembered that during his term the first review of the condition of the twelve municipalities with direct control of this resource was completed. The findings were concerning: significant losses were identified and, as a result, investments were made during the latest term.
To address this issue, it is suggested to include actions totaling ten million euros in a multi-year aid programme over three fiscal years, from 2024 to 2026.
The Socialist Party aims to present this proposal at the plenary meeting of the Tenerife Cabildo, with the objective of discussing and implementing them as soon as possible, emphasizing that, during the Socialists’ leadership, a significant increase in economic allocations for the primary sector was achieved.
Some of the initiatives undertaken by the previous administration include the allocation of 200 million euros to water treatment and preventing discharges into the sea, enhancing the condition of the reservoirs, and the main water channel on the Island (from Santa Cruz to the Southern Region), with a value of 1.4 million euros, as well as enhancements and expansions of desalination and treatment facilities, positioning the current island government in a much improved state compared to its predecessor.
The significant subterranean reservoir on the Island recedes by 2.5 to 3 linear metres annually, reaching peaks of up to five metres. This means that every year, the aquifer shifts further from the surface and closer to the freshwater-saltwater interface.
From 1985 to 2016, the total discharge volume of the island’s effluents decreased by 30%, from 212 Hm3 to 150 Hm3 per year. Quality-wise, mineral waters exhibit higher salinization levels due to this aquifer level decline.
