Canary Islands Government Supports El Hierro with Portable Desalination Units

Context

• The Canary Islands government has agreed to lend portable desalination units and related equipment to the island of El Hierro to address ongoing water scarcity issues.
• Due to reduced rainfall and increased water demand, especially during hot periods, El Hierro's existing desalination infrastructure is nearing its maximum capacity, causing supply challenges.

Support Details

• The island's Water Council requested support, which the government has formalized through a cooperation agreement.
• The arrangement allows El Hierro to use portable desalination units previously deployed elsewhere in the archipelago, notably in La Palma during the volcanic eruption emergency in 2021.
• These units can produce a combined 7,250 cubic meters of drinking water daily, helping to fill the gap until local projects expand capacity.

Agreement Terms

• The agreement includes a four-year initial term, with potential extensions up to six years.
• Establishes a joint monitoring committee to oversee implementation.

Purpose and Significance

• This measure aims to safeguard residents' water supply amid recurrent droughts and high demand, particularly in agriculture and industry.
• It exemplifies cross-institutional cooperation to ensure sustainable water management in the face of climate challenges.