The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has raised concerns over the management of water services by the local water consortium, which has gathered a wave of complaints since taking over the operation. María Dolores Corujo, the party’s secretary in Lanzarote, pointed out significant issues, including a lack of communication regarding bill receipt, new payment methods, and unexpected water supply interruptions.
Corujo emphasised that basic information about this vital service should be easily accessible to the public. “Users shouldn’t have to figure out how to pay their bills or why they’re not receiving them,” she stated.
Many residents report not receiving bills, confusion about the new online payment system, and disruptions to their water supply without any prior notice. Corujo stated these issues should have been anticipated by responsible administration.
She also highlighted the discrepancy between the current situation and the communication efforts made by Oswaldo Betancort, the president of the Cabildo and the water consortium, before the service transition, during which he promoted promises of improved management. “However, now that it’s time to manage, basic problems affecting users are emerging,” she remarked.
Corujo believes that the takeover of the service required meticulous planning, particularly in customer support, billing, payment systems, and incident communication. “Changing the management model isn’t just about announcing it,” she added.
The PSOE is especially worried about the lack of information regarding water supply cuts. They argue that the consortium must develop effective and quick communication channels to inform residents about both scheduled interruptions and any incidents affecting supply.
“It’s unacceptable for residents to find out there’s a supply cut only when they turn on the tap,” Corujo asserted. “Whenever possible, the public has the right to advance notice about service interruptions and clear details about their duration and causes.”
Corujo concluded that the current state of affairs illustrates a gap between Betancort’s optimistic narrative and his ability to effectively manage such a complex service. She called for immediate improvements in user support, clear information about the new billing system, and an effective protocol for communicating interruptions and incidents.
“Betancort needs to spend less time talking about how well the service is going to work and more time ensuring it actually does. The public needs fewer promises and more solid responses,” she added.
