First municipality in Tenerife to take drastic measures due to drought conditions, which have led the Tenerife Island Council to declare a water emergency. La Guancha City Council announced on Thursday that it “restricts the use of tap water for human consumption, both for drinking and for cooking and food preparation” due to water scarcity and also due to breakdowns in the municipal supply network. In other words, the use of municipal water supply for drinking or cooking is not allowed until further notice.
The La Guancha City Council adds in a statement posted on its social media: “The measure, aimed at the entire population, will remain in effect until further notice in all neighborhoods and population centers of the municipality”.
It is the fourth municipality in Tenerife to take actions due to water scarcity but La Guancha has gone further than the previous ones: Fasnia, Arico, and Icod de Los Vinos. In the case of the southern municipalities of Fasnia and Arico, the restrictions implemented between February and March forbid residents from using potable water for irrigation, filling pools, ponds, tanks, and containers with drinking water.
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Fasnia and Arico also prohibit car washing, with the exception of gas stations – whose systems allow for more water efficiency – cleaning facades, and using public beach showers.
In the case of Icod de los Vinos, the mayor, Javier Sierra, issued a decree in mid-March restricting potable water use to consumption, personal hygiene, and pet care. This measure is implemented in response to the water emergency declared by the Council, as a result of the drought affecting the island. The mayor explained to the public that these measures are taken to ensure water resources and meet consumption reduction targets.
The Mayor of La Guancha announces that tap water restrictions “are aimed at the entire population, and will remain in effect until further notice in all neighborhoods and population centers of the municipality”
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Specifically, the municipal decree of Icod de los Vinos specifies that the use of water for garden irrigation, orchards, trees, green and sports areas of private nature is restricted, except for emergency situations (water stress) and new plantations. Filling pools and fountains without a recovery system or closed circuit is also not allowed. It is reminded that the use of potable water in inflatable or collapsible pools is permitted, as well as washing vehicles in public places.
The Mayor of La Guancha, Antonio Hernández, has gone a step further and the restriction affects human consumption for drinking. In the decree signed by Antonio Hernández and released on Thursday, the mayor of La Guancha indicates that “due to the lack of rainfall in the last three months and the different breakdowns in the municipal supply distribution network, there has been an increase in demand for drinking water, resulting in a significant decrease in the water levels in municipal tanks”.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, the Council has decided to temporarily restrict the consumption of tap water, allowing its use for household tasks and personal hygiene,” details Antonio Hernández.
The La Guancha City Council also orders the halt of the desalination process of a part of the water entering the tanks, with the aim of incorporating more raw water and, thus, restoring optimal storage levels
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Furthermore, Hernández has ordered the halt of the desalination process of a portion of the water entering the tanks, with the goal of adding more raw water and, therefore, restoring optimal storage levels as soon as possible. He regrets any inconvenience caused but warns that this is “the only sensible solution to prevent a general supply cut, which would leave the entire population without water, with the inconveniences that would entail”.
La Guancha is a municipality accustomed to water restrictions due to scarcity or problems caused by the presence of fluoride. Already in May of last year, Antonio Hernández announced the restriction until further notice of the consumption of tap water for the whole population, both for drinking and for cooking or food preparation, due to the “critical” levels of the tanks.
