Fonsalía Desalination Plant Back in Full Operation
The Fonsalía desalination plant in Tenerife has resumed full operations following extensive upgrades costing over €4.3 million. It now produces 21,000 cubic metres of fresh water per day—enough to fill 8.4 Olympic swimming pools, with 12,000 cubic metres allocated for agricultural irrigation. This facility is vital for ensuring water supply for both urban and agricultural needs in the southwest of Tenerife.
The upgraded plant significantly benefits the municipalities of Guía de Isora, Santiago del Teide, and Adeje, which have faced high pressure on water resources for years. The expansion has increased the plant’s capacity by 50%, from a previous maximum of 14,000 cubic metres daily.
While the facility can reach a peak output of 22,600 cubic metres, this level will only be used during emergencies to prevent potential wear and tear on the equipment.
Construction began in October 2023, with a new desalination module added to boost capacity by an additional 7,000 cubic metres per day. Following a water emergency declaration on 29 May 2024, the local authorities invested approximately €1.1 million to replace existing membranes with more efficient ones, resulting in an extra 3,600 cubic metres of daily production. Emergency works concluded in August 2024, paving the way for the current operational status.
Blanca Pérez, the island’s councillor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Emergencies, emphasised that this investment strengthens public water supply and irrigation systems in a region vulnerable to water shortages. The increased water supply is especially crucial during dry periods when agricultural demand rises.
Water for agriculture is transported from Las Charquetas reservoir to Lomo del Balo, distributing it across farms in the southern and western parts of the island. This 12,000 cubic metres per day supply is particularly beneficial during droughts.
While the Fonsalía plant cannot single-handedly resolve Tenerife’s water deficit, it offers a stable source of supply for both residents and farming, reducing reliance on fluctuating resources and enhancing water security in one of the island’s key agricultural and tourist regions.
