The Cabildo launches measures to regain irrigation in the areas affected by the La Palma Volcano
The Cabildo de La Palma, through the Insular Water Council, has been working during these days in the search for solutions to recover irrigation in areas whose networks were affected in recent days, Cuatro Caminos area, El Manchón and a stretch of Dos Pinos, as well as those others that could be damaged by the effects of the volcano, in the Hoyas-Remo area, as has finally happened today.
The main alternative proposed by the Minister of Water, Carlos Cabrera, and whose work has already been awarded, is based, on the one hand, the elevation of the water from the Las Hoyas area to the Cuatro Caminos Pool. "We have to get water to that pond as soon as possible to ensure irrigation for farmers on their properties," explains Cabrera. On the other hand, the source of water supply for this operation to support Hoyas-Remo has to be, as we have transmitted to the Government of the Canary Islands at the beginning of this week, the desalination of water with portable plants that, logically, points the counselor, "would require having the analyzes that certify that the water to be extracted complies with the required parameters." In addition, Cabrera emphasizes, "these works are very advanced".
Along with this proposal, next Tuesday, the Insular Water Council It will also declare an emergency and contract the "supply of flows through the existing fire network" that will allow to have high flow rates to supply the Southwest strip of the island. It will be carried out taking advantage of the elevation of Aduares and the recently completed Deposit of the Caves. This action is intended to meet the demand of the Cuatro Caminos area, the part that supplies LP-II to the Manchón and the irrigation allowed by the Dos Pinos-Barranco Los Hombres Canal. It will also be able to serve the upper area of Las Manchas, both household supply and irrigation complement, being able, finally, to reach Fuencaliente. We consider this work of special significance.
Progress is also being made in the possible contracting of a means of transporting water from the port area.
The water councilor is convinced that it is time to proceed to close the hydraulic ring as a structural and backbone of the system. The closure is essential to better respond to situations or serious incidents that could interrupt the island's water transport system.
Farmers will be able to continue cutting the fruit
Despite the pipe breaking, the fruit cutting operation continues in El Remo, Charco Verde, Puerto Naos and Tazacorte. The access of the cutting trucks to the area will be through the Fuencaliente highway, while the Las Martelas straight will be the meeting point to cut north of the La Laguna mountain.
The cutting operation is organized in four shifts (08:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00 hours), although the cutters must be half an hour before at the point of departure. A security device will accompany them at all times.
