The head of the Socialist Group in the Tenerife Cabildo, Pedro Martín, has called out Rosa Dávila for her delayed response in declaring a water emergency, almost reaching three months since the announcement was made. The proposed measures by PSOE in February, including the installation of portable desalination plants in critical areas, remain unimplemented.
“Over two crucial months have passed for the agricultural sector, with water scarcity reaching critical levels, yet no emergency has been declared nor any urgent measures taken,” expressed Pedro Martín. He emphasised the need for immediate action, criticising Rosa Dávila’s lack of initiative beyond mere announcements.
During this period of inaction, Tenerife’s reservoirs have dwindled to just 40.7% of their total capacity, with April being recorded as the hottest month on record.
Record Low Levels in Reservoirs
From May 1, 2023, to the present day, the water levels in reservoirs have plummeted from 56% to 42%, a significant decline of 14%. This represents an almost five-point drop compared to the previous month.
This situation has escalated the agricultural sector’s crisis into spring, a period that historically experienced scarcities only in late summer. “With no sign of rain and no concrete actions taken, we urgently need to invest 250 million euros in water-saving initiatives, especially in reuse and desalination projects,” Martín declared.
“The Council must act swiftly to finalise ongoing infrastructure projects to meet our water needs. We provided clear guidelines, yet progress remains stagnant,” added Martín.
Meanwhile, socialist councillor Javier Parrilla highlighted that, through past initiatives, Balten (under Tenerife Cabildo) now supplies 60% of water sourced from regeneration or desalination, equating to over 12.6 million cubic metres annually for irrigation.
PSOE Emergency Response Plan
The PSOE’s emergency response plan aims to inject an additional 40,000 cubic metres of irrigation water per day into the system through five key actions and two loss minimisation strategies, requiring a minimum investment of 65 million euros.
On the desalination front, the PSOE proposes constructing regional desalination plants in the Northeast, specifically in San Cristóbal de La Laguna and the Güímar Valley. These projects entail a combined investment of 40 million euros, generating an extra 40,000 cubic metres per day. Detailed environmental impact assessments and reports are currently in progress, along with the expansion of Fonsalía and Granadilla de Abona treatment facilities.
As an interim measure, Pedro Martín advocated for the reinstatement of a portable desalination plant in Güímar. Additionally, plans for the launch of the Isla Baja treatment plant are underway. This project is vital for a region in Tenerife requiring significant water resources for agriculture, particularly the construction of a conduit connecting the Orotava Valley and the agricultural zone of Isla Baja.
