Tenerife’s Water Reservoirs Experience Significant Boost After Storm Claudia

In the wake of Storm Claudia, Tenerife’s water reservoirs have seen a remarkable increase in their storage levels, providing a much-needed respite for the island’s agricultural sector and addressing ongoing water scarcity issues.

Positive Impact on Agricultural Water Supply

The public company Balsas de Tenerife (Balten) has reported a substantial increase of nearly 80,000 cubic metres in water storage, a development that is particularly beneficial for agricultural irrigation. This increase has elevated the overall reservoir capacity to 28%, which translates to a total of 1,413,273 cubic metres of water now available for use.

Valentín González, the Minister for the Primary Sector at the Cabildo of Tenerife, expressed optimism regarding this development. He noted that the recent rainfall marks the beginning of a much-needed positive trend in water storage, especially in light of the ongoing concerns surrounding the water crisis on the island. While he acknowledged the benefits brought by the storm, González also urged caution, as the hydrological year commenced in October, and the long-term effects of this rainfall remain to be seen.

Regional Disparities in Water Accumulation

The northern regions of Tenerife have reaped the most significant benefits from the recent rains. Specifically, reservoirs located in the Isla Baja and Northeast areas, including Valle Guerra and Tacoronte, have collectively captured over 55,000 cubic metres of water within just two days. This influx has resulted in a total storage capacity of 1,011,130 cubic metres in these northern regions, reflecting a 2% fill rate. This increase is crucial for local farmers who rely heavily on consistent water supply for their crops.

In contrast, the southern reservoirs have also shown a notable improvement. Storage levels in this area have risen from 23.7% before the storm to 25.1% currently. The accumulated volume in the southern reservoirs has now surpassed 402,000 cubic metres, indicating a positive shift in water availability for both agricultural and domestic use.

Monitoring Future Water Levels

As the island continues to recover from the effects of Storm Claudia, officials remain hopeful that the recent rainfall will play a significant role in alleviating the ongoing water stress that has plagued the region. The situation will be closely monitored as the hydrological year progresses, with particular attention paid to how these improvements will impact the agricultural sector, which is heavily reliant on adequate water supplies for successful crop production.

Farmers and agricultural workers are encouraged by the recent developments, as the increased water availability could lead to better yields and more sustainable farming practices. However, the long-term outlook will depend on continued rainfall and effective water management strategies to ensure that the reservoirs remain adequately filled throughout the dry months.

Key points

• Balsas de Tenerife reported an increase of nearly 80,000 cubic metres in water storage.
• The overall reservoir capacity has risen to 28%, totaling 1,413,273 cubic metres.
• Valentín González highlighted the rainfall’s positive impact on the agricultural sector.
• Northern regions, especially Isla Baja and Northeast, collected over 55,000 cubic metres in two days.
• Southern reservoirs increased from 23.7% to 25.1% following the storm.