The prohibition on using tap water for drinking and cooking, applicable to children under eight years old, which has impacted the neighbourhoods of La Gallega, Llano del Moro, and El Sobradillo in the Southwest district of Santa Cruz, will be removed at the end of February. This was revealed yesterday by the Councillor for Public Services, Carlos Tarife, following an inquiry by the Vox group during the oversight committee meeting.
This measure was implemented after analyses by the Mixed Water Company (Emmasa) identified elevated fluoride levels in the water supplied from the north of the island via the Los Dornajos Transfer Canal-Baldíos. Consequently, it has affected 19,000 residents in the region, who will, starting next month, be allowed to consume drinking water once again.
Tarife clarified that “the pipeline construction to provide desalinated water to the Southwest will conclude at the start of February, and thus it will be merged with the reservoirs, which will result in a reduction in fluoride levels. It is anticipated that after the health assessments conducted at the end of that month, the results will be favourable, enabling the consumption of safe drinking water.”
Zero Discharge
In addition, the Zero Discharge Plan initiative in the Southwest, being implemented by Emmasa, is progressing well. The project, which has a budget of €4.9 million, aims to enhance sanitation and wastewater management in the area. These efforts, alongside those taking place in Taganana and San Andrés and the expansion of the treatment facility, will provide a crucial boost for the revitalisation of the coastline.
