The Island Council of Tenerife has unveiled plans to address the water crisis affecting the primary sector by deploying five portable water treatment plants in key areas. These plants will be stationed in Fonsalía (Guía de Isora), Mesa del Mar (Tacoronte), Valle de Güímar, Valle de La Orotava, and Granadilla.
Island President Rosa Dávila made this announcement to journalists ahead of the General Meeting of the Tenerife Island Water Council, where the declaration of a water emergency, approved the previous week, will be discussed.
Dávila emphasized that the declaration of emergency enables expedited deadlines for installation, aiming to swiftly deploy the plants to commence operations by April. She stressed the critical importance of this initiative in light of the upcoming summer, which poses significant challenges for the agricultural sector.
In response to the crisis, the Island Council is allocating a budget of €20 million for these investments, including a desalination plant to transfer treated water to highland and midland areas. Dávila underscored the need to confront the crisis head-on, particularly after losing over 7,000 hectares of agricultural land on the island over the past decade.
Upon validation of the decree by the Junta and the subsequent five-day period for presenting objections, the emergency measures will be implemented swiftly, allowing for the immediate installation of desalination plants without environmental restrictions.
Dávila also emphasized the role of tourism in addressing the water shortage, indicating forthcoming discussions with industry stakeholders to explore potential contributions. While she acknowledged the responsible actions of some municipalities in restricting water usage, she noted the need for a balanced approach, ensuring water conservation without imposing restrictions on human consumption.
Looking ahead, Dávila stressed the collaborative efforts required across sectors to alleviate the crisis, emphasizing the need for increased water flow from tourism and industry to support the rural sector.
