SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 28 APR. (Press Europa) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife has raised the water contribution to the system by 34% over the last two months, as stated on Monday by the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, during the drought meeting held at the Insular Council of Tenerife Water to discuss the island’s water situation.
Since the end of February this year, contributions to the system have increased from 19,707 cubic metres per day to 26,496 cubic metres today—a rise of 6,789 cubic metres daily (+34.4%).
This growth has been made feasible through the enhancements following the expansion of the EDAM of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which has a production capacity of 30,900 cubic metres per day. Additionally, the EDAM of Adeje-Arona has expanded, contributing 5,500 cubic metres per day, and the flow increased in the galleries of Hoyos de Chiguergue (Guides de Isora) and Fuente del Valle (Arona), with 482 and 432 cubic metres daily, respectively.
These volumes were integrated into the system in February and were formally reported to the Insular Water Council of Tenerife in March and April, respectively.
Blanca Pérez also emphasised ongoing efforts to enhance flow contributions while addressing spill issues. “Through the Water Emergency Declaration, we have accelerated various actions that have enabled us to boost daily water flow. There is still work to be done, but we are moving in the right direction to address the severe drought conditions affecting the island.”
During the meeting, there was also a report on the initiative to improve housing connections to the sewer systems in the Northeast Region of Tenerife, which is being facilitated through a subsidy granted to the company Teidagua.
The water storage at 71%
Consequently, residents in the Northeast region can apply for financial assistance for connections through the website of this company, with a total fund of 1,161,810 euros and a maximum of 5,000 euros per applicant. Applications will be accepted for a period of two months.
In addition, updates were provided on the actions being undertaken in the Northern Canal. Supported by the Téidagua and Emmasa entities, maintenance work is being conducted to minimise water losses in the channel.
Concerning irrigation supplies, the island’s storage level is currently at 71% (data from April 10). In the southern area, capacity reaches 89%, with several pools at 100%, while the northern region records 66.6%.
Drought Coordination Table
The drought table consists of representatives from municipalities, consortiums, public companies, and public service management, along with concessionary entities or user holders, agricultural organisations, and business and union groups, as well as the Canary Islands government and the Insular Cabildo of Tenerife. Additionally, a representative from the farming community for each hydraulic region is included: Las Cañadas del Teide, Northwest, La Orotava Valley, Northeast, Anaga, Metropolitan Area, Güímar Valley, Southeast, and Southwest, along with managers from the public company Balsas de Tenerife (Balten) and the Insular Water Council of Tenerife.
