Tenerife Reactivates Tegueste Irrigation Network After 17-Year Hiatus

The Las Peñuelas irrigation network in Tegueste is finally being reactivated, marking a major turning point for mid-altitude farming in Tenerife. After nearly two decades of inactivity, a new three-way agreement between the Island Council (through the public entity Balten), the Tegueste Town Council, and the local Irrigation Community will bring the system back online.

The network has been out of service since 2007 due to a combination of technical issues, funding problems, and the need to repair the main reservoir. This long-standing infrastructure gap has hindered agricultural growth in the region, leaving water supplies for roughly 200 hectares in limbo. With this new plan in place, nearly 600 plots are expected to benefit from modernized water management, which is vital for the economic survival of local farms.

Valentín González, the Island Councilor for the Primary Sector, stated that the agreement resolves a long-standing issue and secures a critical service for the island’s economy. Under the new model, Balten will take charge of the network’s technical operations, as well as its ongoing maintenance and conservation costs.

Tegueste Mayor Norberto Padilla emphasized that securing water access is essential for both sustainability and economic development. As the Canary Islands face increasing water shortages, making the best use of existing resources has become a top priority. By combining technical efficiency with institutional support, this partnership aims to protect the future of local agriculture and overcome the limitations that have held the sector back for the last seventeen years.