Tacoronte City Council Endorses Groundwater Self-Sufficiency Water Policy Amid Calls for Transparency
Tacoronte approves a groundwater-focused water self-sufficiency policy amid VOX's demands for transparency and community participation in local water management and subsidies.
- • Tacoronte City Council endorses a water policy centered on groundwater self-sufficiency.
- • Proposal won support from major parties except VOX, which abstained due to transparency concerns.
- • A technical study will assess aquifer capacity before structural decisions are made.
- • VOX criticizes lack of transparency in municipal subsidies and limited community participation.
- • A consultative body involving officials, experts, and citizens will oversee water management.
Key details
On January 8, 2026, Tacoronte City Council approved a new municipal water policy focused on achieving self-sufficiency through the sustainable use of groundwater resources. Presented by Mayor Sandra Izquierdo, the motion received broad support from the governing coalition (PSOE, CC, PP) and opposition parties (NC, Somos Tacoronte, Sí Se puede, Ciudadanos), with VOX abstaining from the vote. The proposal responds to the exacerbating water scarcity in the Canary Islands driven by climate change and falling reserves. It highlights the avoidance of desalination plants, instead prioritizing existing groundwater sources via wells, galleries, and storage facilities. The council has committed to conducting a thorough technical and scientific assessment of the Tacoronte aquifer's volume and quality before undertaking major infrastructure projects, as well as prohibiting anthropogenic water discharges into the sea. To ensure effective water governance, a consultative body incorporating municipal officials, technical experts, and community members will be established. Meanwhile, VOX spokesperson Noemí Campillo expressed concerns about transparency and public participation in water management decisions. She criticized the rejection of her amendments aimed at increasing community involvement and monitoring, and called for clearer communication regarding desalination efforts and coastal water management. Campillo also highlighted deficiencies in the 2026 Municipal Subsidies Plan's transparency: over 66% of the €2.2 million fund is granted directly without clear evaluation criteria, reducing access for residents and entrepreneurs. She advocated for open, accessible subsidies fostering local economic initiatives and urged authorities to prioritize accountability and genuine public trust building.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
