Tenerife Residents Oppose €1.4 Million El Pris Flood Defense Project
Tenerife’s Island Council faces backlash from El Pris residents over a €1.4 million flood-prevention project that locals argue is ineffective and disruptive.
Managing water infrastructure in high-risk areas has once again sparked political debate in Tenerife. The Island Council (Cabildo) recently announced a €1.4 million project for the TF-165 road in the coastal village of El Pris, Tacoronte. The goal is to reduce flooding caused by heavy rain, but the plan has met with strong opposition from local residents, who doubt the project's effectiveness and worry about the disruption it will cause to their daily lives.
Dámaso Arteaga, the Island Councilor for Roads, defends the project as a vital step to protect homes and the road from severe weather, such as the storms seen last March. The plan includes installing new drainage systems, manholes, and collectors to help move rainwater more quickly. However, the El Pris El Sargo Neighborhood Association remains skeptical following a recent meeting with Cabildo officials and Tacoronte Mayor Sandra Izquierdo.
The core of the disagreement is the cause of the flooding. While officials view the construction as a permanent fix, residents argue that the design only catches a small portion of the water, failing to address the runoff coming from higher ground. Locals have proposed cheaper, more efficient alternatives, but they feel the government lacks the political will to tackle the root of the problem. They also criticize the local mayor’s office for deferring to the Cabildo rather than advocating for the neighborhood's interests.
Beyond the technical concerns, residents are worried about the construction process itself. With no clear schedule or guarantees for essential services—such as ambulance access, school buses, and restaurant deliveries—the community fears the work will lead to prolonged isolation. Many believe the investment will ultimately fail to prevent future flooding.
This situation highlights the ongoing tension between government planning and the needs of citizens living in vulnerable areas. While the Cabildo maintains that the work is a necessary, urgent response, residents continue to demand more transparency and a project that truly protects their community from climate risks.