The Minister of Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, has stated that rainfall remains “insufficient” and that aquifer levels have diminished.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 24 February (Europa Press) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife is proposing an extension of the Water Emergency Declaration (DEH) for an additional eight months, which would extend the situation until the end of October this year.
The initiative was discussed on Monday during the drought committee meeting, which convened to assess the island’s status ahead of the DEH’s expiry next Friday.
A final decision will be made following the General Meeting of the Insular Council of Aguas de Tenerife scheduled for this Thursday.
Blanca Pérez, the Minister for Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Safety and Emergencies, noted in a statement that after reviewing the technical reports at the drought committee, the extension is proposed for a further eight months to tackle the ongoing situation.
“The reports indicate that rainfall has been inadequate, that aquifers have declined and that it is essential to persist with the investments and measures we proposed in May of last year,” she remarked.
The Water Emergency Declaration was initially issued on 29 May 2024 for six months and was subsequently extended for an additional three months, ending on 28 February.
This extension was dependent on the potential arrival of significant rainfall, which might allow an early conclusion of the Water Emergency Declaration, but this condition has not materialised.
Blanca Pérez emphasises that the majority of the 75 measures aimed at ensuring supply and alleviating the drought have already been initiated, resulting in approximately 50,000 cubic metres of water per day in the coming months, effectively tripling water production since the emergency was declared in May of last year.
However, she elaborated, “The weather conditions remain unfavourable following a rainy winter, exacerbated by increased water consumption, agricultural use, and declining aquifers after prolonged drought years.”
Consequently, she highlights that new measures are already being examined by the Insular Water Council of Tenerife, in addition to those outlined in the Water Emergency Declaration, to effectively confront the drought situation with confidence.
“We will conclude several robust infrastructures that will enable us to access more water, but we must continue to plan and invest to resolve this issue,” asserts Blanca Pérez.
Positive Contributions
In recent months, contributions to the system have persisted since the DEH was declared, increasing from approximately 15,827 cubic metres per day in November 2024 to the 50,000 cubic metres projected for the upcoming months.
This enhancement has largely been facilitated by the contributions from the Marine Water Desalination Station (EDAM) located in the Industrial Polygon of Güímar (1,700 cubic metres) and the EDAM in Funche (2,000 cubic metres), along with the green well (180 cubic metres).
In addition, the meeting addressed the progress of the Metropolitan EDAM, which is set to contribute an additional 2,100 cubic metres daily, and the expansion project in Buenos Aires.
It is expected that these infrastructures will be operational by April.
Moreover, the expansion of the EDAM in Adeje-Arona, which will provide 5,000 cubic metres per day, is anticipated to be ready in May.
Subsidies and Assistance
Among the measures put in place by the Aguas Insular Council of Tenerife is the provision of subsidies to the 12 municipalities with populations of fewer than 20,000, directly managing the water service, amounting to €4,606,350 for initiatives aimed at reducing network losses. Additionally, another subsidy line worth €5,847,700 has been established for the municipalities of La Laguna, Tegueste, Candelaria, Arafo, Güímar, San Miguel, Guía de Isora, and Puerto de la Cruz, to enhance sewer connections in residential areas.
Furthermore, the Insular Water Council of Tenerife has allocated funds for essential projects such as the installation of a portable EDAM in Mesa del Mar (Tacoronte) and another in San Miguel, aimed at pumping water from the higher elevations of the municipality.
The drought committee comprises representatives from local authorities, consortiums, public companies, management of public services, concession holders, agricultural organisations, business and union representatives, the Canary Islands government, and the Insular Cabildo of Tenerife.
Additionally, there is a representative for farmers from each of the following hydraulic regions: Las Cañadas del Teide, Northwest, Valley of La Orotava, Northeast, Anaga, Metropolitan Area, Güímar Valley, Southeast and Southwest, alongside the managers from the public company Balsas de Tenerife (Balten) and the Insular Council of Aguas de Tenerife.
