Start-up of brackish water desalination for agricultural irrigation in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract

The Canary Islands are an arid region. Therefore, water resources are scarce and several islands depend strongly on the sea and brackish water desalination. Water desalination, in the water policy of the Canary Islands, has been deeply rooted in the last 40 years, allowing solving and overcoming the shortage. This article concerns the beginning of the brackish water desalination for agricultural purposes in the Canary Islands (Spain). It provides the data and experience acquired during the early years in the region; one of the authors of this paper was working in the department of desalination of the first companies in the Canary Islands like Riegocan, AM García Glez. and Temkon. These companies worked with membrane manufacturers like Fluid System, Filmtec and Desalination Systems and pressure pipe manufacturer—Advanced Structures. Fifteen brackish water reverse osmosis desalination plants were built in the Canary Islands to provide water for agricultural irrigation between 1979 and 1983. These plants had a significant impact on agriculture.