ASAGA Canarias, COAG Canarias, UPA, and PALCA, the Agricultural Professional Organizations, express their “indignation” at the “disturbing” water losses discovered in public water pipes in Tenerife.
Therefore, they urge the relevant authorities – Cabildo de Tenerife, Insular Water Council, and local councils – to urgently step up inspections and enhance the maintenance and upkeep of the water distribution network to prevent further harm to farmers.
The agricultural sector finds it “unbearable” that, with the Water Emergency Declaration in place since May 29, there are announcements of water supply cuts to agriculture while this essential resource is wasted due to undetected obstructions or leaks in the distribution networks, caused by the significant deterioration of the island’s hydraulic infrastructure.
Furthermore, they highlight in a statement the “repeated breaches” by Balten (Tenerife Reservoirs) in supplying irrigation water, which has considerably deteriorated in quality over the past year due to high salt concentrations, making the supply “almost impossible” for certain agricultural areas on the island.
The producers also criticize the fact that, amidst this scenario, the Water Emergency Declaration includes a hike in Balten rates, justified by the need to update their expenses.
“Implementing this rate increase would be a fatal blow to agriculture and livestock,” caution the OPAS.
The agricultural sector laments being accused of water wastage and the targeting of crops like bananas or avocados for excessive water usage, when historically, galleries were constructed by farmers, currently supplying 75% of the island’s water, they highlight.
In fact, the Tenerife Hydrological Plan text acknowledges “modesty, frugality, and efficiency in the private water management by water associations,” demonstrating the commitment to ensuring “not a single drop is wasted” in their managed facilities, they stress.
While agricultural lands face closure or inadequate management due to insufficient water supply in terms of quantity and quality, other economic sectors remain unaffected by this plight, prompting professional agricultural organizations to also demand strict adherence to the Canary Islands Water Law.
The farmers outline that article 36 of this regulation establishes a priority sequence in water usage, mandating supply to the population first, followed by agriculture, with tourism, industry, and recreational activities ranking third and fourth, respectively.
