Los Abrigos, a popular fishing village and tourist town in the south of Tenerife, has entered 2025 faced with the same persistent water issues that have plagued it for several years. Residents are once again voicing frustrations over the safety and reliability of their water supply following yet another episode of discoloured, unsanitary water at the end of 2024.
A recent breakdown in the water supply system caused significant disruptions.
Many residents first reported low water pressure in their homes, prompting widespread concern, however, the water company initially denied detecting any issues before later confirming the fault. This delay only added to the frustration of locals who feel their concerns are frequently dismissed.
Years of Neglect
The issues in Los Abrigos stretch back over five years, with residents enduring unusable tap water that varies in colour from reddish to dark brown.
The problem, as eventually identified, stems from a combination of high alkalinity levels from the desalination plant and the aging, corroded water pipes, which have been in service for 35 years. The resulting iron contamination has left water in this condition for over half a decade.
Emergency Repairs Approved
In October 2024, the Granadilla council approved an emergency project to replace a four-kilometre stretch of the deteriorated pipeline, allocating a budget of €450,000. While this was seen as a step forward, the ongoing issues suggest that the repairs have not yet proved successful.
Alexis Tardella, president of the Los Abrigos Residents’ Association, voiced his frustrations: “They announced the replacement of the pipeline, but during the holidays, we’ve been dealing with low water pressure and dirty water. On Christmas Eve, some residents couldn’t even take a shower to prepare for the festivities.”
Despite the setbacks, some small measures have been implemented. Free potable water is now available through tankers stationed in the town. However, Tardella remarked that basic water service remains inadequate and unreliable.
“It’s still a disastrous situation,” he said, expressing cautious hope for 2025. “We can only trust that the promised pipeline repairs will finally bring us a modern, functional water service.”
Simultaneously, the council is advancing plans for a new water reservoir and distribution network for Los Abrigos. Projects include connecting Casablanca to Sotavento-La Mareta to further improve the water supply infrastructure.
For now, however, residents remain caught between resignation and hope as they await the long-promised resolution to their ongoing water crisis.
