Water prices to rise sharply in Tenerife: opposition raises alarm over possible privatization
In La Victoria de Acentejo, there are plans to increase water prices by more than 42%, which has provoked protests from the opposition and concerns about the possible privatization of the water supply.
The town of La Victoria de Acentejo is planning to raise the price of water. Local authorities say this is necessary because there is a serious problem with the water supply, and prices in the country are rising. Daniel Izquierdo, who is responsible for water in the city council, recalled that prices have not changed for 20 years.
The opposition, the Canarian Coalition, said that prices will increase by 37% as early as November. But the city council says that the increase will actually be even greater – more than 42%.
Izquierdo assures that the city authorities are doing everything as required by the Tenerife Island Water Board. He says that since 2020, they have been investing money in improving the water supply network, and that is why it is now necessary to raise prices. He recalled that prices have not changed since 2005, and the decision to raise prices was made in February last year. It was then decided that the water fee would increase by two euros per month – from four to six euros.
The opposition is also concerned that the authorities want to privatize the water supply. But Izquierdo denies this. He says that they are considering involving a company to perform certain works and maintenance, but the water supply will remain public. He explained that the authorities are studying how much it costs to maintain the water supply network, but no decisions have been made yet and a tender has not been announced.
According to Roman Afonso of the Canarian Coalition, after the price increase, residents who use 15 cubic meters of water every two months will pay five euros more (instead of 12 euros – more than 17). On average, people in La Victoria de Acentejo use about 30 cubic meters of water. For this volume, they will have to pay eight euros more (instead of 22 euros – more than 30). And if you use 45 cubic meters, the increase will be even greater – more than 22 euros (instead of 34 euros – more than 57).
The opposition believes that this will hit the pockets of local residents hard and may lead to privatization of the water supply.
The Canarian Coalition insists that the water supply remain public. In their opinion, this is the only way to control prices and ensure access to water for all.
The opposition calls on people to defend their rights. They have opened their office, where they advise residents every Tuesday and Friday from 18:00 to 19:30 on how to file objections to the price increase. This must be done by the 29th.
The price of water in La Victoria de Acentejo did not increase from 2019 to 2023 because the authorities decided not to invest money in improving the water supply network.
On May 29, 2024, a state of emergency was declared on the island of Tenerife due to water supply problems. Since then, according to Daniel Izquierdo, they have been reporting to the Water Board on water losses in the network and on water consumption in the city.
Local authorities say they are currently looking for the exact locations of water leaks in the network in order to eliminate them.
If the Drought Board does not extend the state of emergency, it will end at the end of October.
Restrictions on water use are still in place in the town of Buenavista del Norte. Local authorities reported that water in some areas is contaminated with fluorides, so people are being given bottled drinking water.