Resolving the issue of water leaks in Tenerife’s networks, a long-standing problem, is more pressing than ever. The recent concern raised by the Canary Islands Farmers and Livestock Association (ASAGA), labelling the level of “waste” due to pipeline deterioration as “alarming,” underscores the lack of proactive measures in expediting necessary hydraulic works on the island.
With some municipalities losing up to 60% of the water they manage (particularly in terms of flows), as reported recently by Ángela Delgado, president of ASAGA, experts are faced with an “unmanageable” reality. This comes at a crucial time amidst a water emergency declared by the Cabildo, a prolonged drought, and rapid global warming.
The significant water leaks across various parts of Tenerife are compelling certain municipalities to increase water supplies to meet the population’s demands.
Forestry engineer and university professor Juan Carlos Santamarta, highlighted on the Iagua portal: “Rather than managing the demand, it is crucial to address the deteriorating infrastructure and repair leaks, especially in a scenario of climate change and diminishing rainfall affecting overexploited aquifers.”
Given the prevailing circumstances, rectifying distribution networks to eliminate blockages or leaks is more critical than ever, particularly in a climate change context and with aquifers experiencing a decline in replenishment due to diminishing rainfall, as supported by statistics.
REDUCED PRECIPITATION
Public Works engineer and hydrologist Juan José Braojos previously cautioned that Tenerife’s drought began a decade ago. This assertion is validated by a stark fact: the island has been losing approximately 165 cubic hectometers of rainwater annually for the past 10 years, equating to “about 63 entire Los Campitos dams” (three hectometers in capacity).
A study conducted two years ago by the University of La Laguna highlighted the loss of “almost half” of water obtained from underground sources or desalination plants in the Canary Islands due to network inefficiencies. In Tenerife, experts estimated a 60% loss within the distribution networks before reaching consumers.
SURGING DEMAND
Civil engineer Noelia Cruz, a contributor to the study, stresses the “urgent” need for implementing measures on an island and archipelago where water demand continues to rise among a population of 2.2 million residents, compounded by tourist influx. With the aquifer recharge projected to decline due to climate change, Cruz emphasises the imperative to curb losses, as squandering clean water along the way is nonsensical.
The Cabildo, hosting the initial Drought Table meeting on the 18th, involving various societal sectors to assess the situation, has requested reports from affected municipalities. Javier Davara, the Insular Water Council manager, emphasised the importance of rectifying issues predominantly impacting smaller and medium-sized municipalities rather than larger ones that have minimised wastage.
Based on these reports, a collaborative plan will be formulated with local administrations and indirectly managed private entities to mitigate or eliminate losses.
