The Town Council of La Victoria de Acentejo will increase the water rate “to comply with the water emergency and the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI)“, according to the area councillor, Daniel Izquierdo (PSOE). He noted that this is the first increase in service charges in 20 years. This Thursday, Coalición Canaria (CC) reported a 37% increase starting in November, a figure the municipal government claims will exceed 42%.
Izquierdo asserts that the Council is meeting the requests of the Island Water Council of Tenerife (Ciatf). He justifies the investment in upgrading and renewing the supply network, undertaken by the Corporation since 2020, as a reason for the rate adjustment at this time. He reminded that rates had not increased since 2005, with the decision taken in February resulting in an increase of two euros — raising the monthly fee from over four to over six euros.
In a statement, the main opposition party in La Victoria, CC, also condemned the PSOE’s intention to privatise water supply, which the councillor refuted: “There is a file open for a possible contract with a company for specific tasks and maintenance, but the service will remain public.” He explained that the local government has a feasibility study and cost structure for the service, but “no decisions have been made nor any tenders prepared for a bidding process.”
The Fluctuation of Figures
Figures provided by CC, voiced by Román Afonso, the party’s general secretary, state that “with the new rate”, a resident consuming 15 cubic metres bi-monthly will see their bill rise by over five euros (from nearly 12 euros to over 17). The average consumption of La Victoria de Acentejo residents is around 30 cubic metres. This usage will cost over eight euros more (increasing from over 22 to over 30 euros). For greater consumptions, such as 45 cubic metres, “the increase will be even more staggering”, as it will rise by over 22 euros (from nearly 34 to over 57 euros).
In their analysis, the nationalists argue that this measure “will hit families in the municipality hard and pave the way for the privatisation of an essential service”.
Coalición Canaria emphasises that the water supply must remain public: “Only in this way can prices be controlled and fair access to a fundamental right like water assured,” Afonso insists.
The nationalist party is calling on citizens to defend their rights. In this regard, they announce that their office will be open every Tuesday and Friday, from six to seven-thirty in the evening, to assist residents in the submission of objections against the increase, the deadline for which is on the 29th of this month.
This is the first increase in water supplies in 20 years, thus the price is also being adjusted to the CPI
The price of potable water supply in La Victoria de Acentejo did not increase during the previous term (2019-2023) because the governing group decided against implementing any improvements to the network.
On 29 May 2024, by decree of the Presidency of the Island Water Council of Tenerife, a water emergency was declared on the island. From that moment, “we report to the Ciatf the losses recorded in the network and the consumption in the municipality,” explains councillor Daniel Izquierdo. The urgency situation dictated by the Cabildo of Tenerife is still in effect today.
To address the condition of the water network, the local government member states that “we are conducting inspections of public taps and valves to minimise water losses and meet the parameters required by the Island Water Council.”
If the Drought Committee does not extend the declaration, the water emergency will conclude at the end of October.
Restrictions Continue on Consumption Due to Fluoride in Buenavista del Norte
Buenavista del Norte continues to impose restrictions on water consumption. The council issued a new statement this Thursday on social media to inform residents when the distribution of water bottles will take place. Since the beginning of August, the Town Council has found no alternative to provide citizens with drinkable water. The concentration of fluorides occurs in several areas mainly located in the midlands of the municipality: Las Portelas, Las Lagunetas, El Palmar, Barranco Las Palmas, La Sabina, and the upper part of Casablanca.
