The Canary Islands are sounding the alarm: outdated laws and water scarcity threaten the islands.

Everyone knows that the Parliament of the Canary Islands is currently on vacation. But they are the only ones in Spain who continue to produce video podcasts. In the latest episode, which can be found on the website and on social media, the Speaker of Parliament, Astrid Pérez, discusses water issues with guests. And not just for the sake of it, but to understand the current situation.

Many will be surprised, but fines for violating water usage rules in the Canary Islands are still listed in pesetas (the old Spanish currency!), even though the law has been in effect since 1990. "Dumping something into the groundwater is very cheap!" exclaims Javier Dávara, head of the Tenerife Water Council. "The water law needs to be updated. We have been living with the same law for over 30 years, and the world has changed. And all the rules that follow from it need to be reviewed."

Carlos Enrique Acevedo, secretary of the Tenerife Water Council, emphasizes that there are "eight different hydrological realities" in the Canary Islands. Therefore, he calls for the reuse of water and the production of technical water. "In Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, and La Gomera, groundwater is a very important part of the water supply. And there is also a socio-economic aspect: water communities, galleries, wells... In the Canary Islands, it has always been a joint project."

Miguel Martín, head of the association of farmers and ranchers of the island of La Palma (Aspa La Palma), talks about investment: "There used to be more water, and the situation was better. We lack desalination. La Palma is the only island without a desalination plant. We were supposed to be included in the program back in 2015." There is another serious problem – volcanic gases in some wells: "If something breaks, you can't go in there. Two hundred hectares of land covered in ash will need water when we restore them. We need more planning and investment so as not to lose a single drop of water."

Mining engineer Eduardo Padrón has participated in water extraction projects on all seven islands. "We see that groundwater is being depleted," he says, "less and less of it is being replenished, so we need to drill wells deeper." Because of this, he says, the quality of the water is deteriorating, especially in Tenerife and La Palma.

Water scarcity, reuse, infrastructure, aid, and bureaucracy are all discussed in the 40-minute dialogue. Astrid Pérez concludes: "The situation is complex and requires a broad perspective, political and technical commitment to ensure water supply and protect economic and social development." Representatives of various groups will participate in the second episode of the podcast.