The problem with water in Lanzarote has always been common. Drought is part of the shared history of the island and its inhabitants. For centuries, the people of Lanzarote learned to survive in a land where rain was scarce and irregular. They built cisterns, reservoirs, and water collection systems because they knew that every drop was a treasure. There were times when the lack of water caused severe difficulties for agriculture, pushed many families into poverty, and even forced numerous people to emigrate in search of opportunities.
That is why no one in Lanzarote needs to be told what it means to live with drought. It is part of our collective memory. It is written in our landscapes, in our traditions, and in the stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. Our grandparents and great-grandparents knew the hardship of depending on the sky to survive.
What is not normal is that, in the 21st century, 16 towns on the island are left without water. What is not normal is that thousands of people cannot live their daily lives normally, that turning on a tap has become an uncertainty, and that a basic service depends on luck or where you live.
Because the problem is no longer the lack of rain. The problem is that we have reached a point where an exceptional situation risks becoming the norm. And we cannot allow that.
The citizens of Lanzarote have always shown an enormous capacity for adaptation. They did so in the face of droughts, volcanic eruptions, and the difficulties of living on an island with limited resources. But adapting should never mean resigning oneself.
Having water is not a privilege. It is not a luxury. It is a basic right. And guaranteeing it should be an absolute priority for any administration. Drought is part of our history. Thousands of people being left without water in their homes should not be part of our present.
Add La Voz de Lanzarote as a preferred Google source.
Stay informed with the latest current news.