Juan Rumeu, the head of the Canarian Business Association of Environmental Consultants, has raised concerns about the declaration of water emergency initiated by the Cabildo of Tenerife, stating that the associated measures are “belated”. He foresees a worsening scenario, attributing it not just to the expected population surge but also to the impact of tourism activities.
The Cabildo of Tenerife unanimously passed a resolution last Friday urging the Tenerife Island Water Council (CIATF) to handle the water emergency declaration. The council is set to convene this week to deliberate on strategies ensuring water supply for the populace and agricultural sector, along with devising preventive measures to avert network losses and promote rational water usage.
The primary aim of this declaration, as advocated by CC and PP in their proposal to the Cabildo, is to “secure the required flow for sustainable agricultural production and preserve domestic and sanitary usage, especially in anticipation of the warmer months.” The corporation has outlined 34 urgent works and actions, including ramping up desalination and water regeneration facilities across strategic locations on the island, such as the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the southern regions. Notably, these actions exclude any impact on the tourism sector.
Speaking to Cope Canarias as reported by EFE, Rumeu highlighted that the ongoing drought scenario was “predictable” owing to the inertia of relevant authorities and their “mismanagement of this critical issue.”
He cited examples such as a luxury hotel consuming 400 litres per guest daily, with not all establishments equipped with desalination plants. Similarly, he pointed out golf courses as “significant resource consumers”, along with ports.
Therefore, he believes that the proposed measures are “insufficient and untimely”, cautioning that establishing a major desalination plant typically takes around two years.
Rumeu warned that various aquifers are not just at minimal levels; many are tainted by nitrates and untreated sewage, emphasising that unless there is universal regulation spanning all municipalities, “the aquifers will continue depleting, eventually leading to water scarcity.”
The head of the Canarian Business Association of Environmental Consultants described it as “criminal” that some municipalities are experiencing up to 60% water network losses, attributing the issue to lax oversight by local authorities over service providers.
In the case of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, he lamented the discharge of “32 million litres of untreated water into the sea daily.”
He criticised politicians for adopting the stance that “underground projects do not garner votes. They can jeopardise elections due to community backlash. This perception has been strictly adhered to.”
Rumeu mentioned instances where certain mayors advised the Insular Water Council against incorporating sanitation initiatives in the hydrological plan, fearing public backlash from residents and businesses.
