Water supply is an important factor on the island of La Palma.
Contrary to some incorrect statements in the press and on other websites there is NO SHORTAGE of water on La Palma. There is a shortage on the over-developed islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria but La Palma does not have a water problem.
Of course being an island the water supply is not unlimited so measures are taken to ensure continuity of supply throughout the dry summer months.Rain falls on the mountains of La Palma in the winter and seeps down in to the rocks. This process is aided by the Canarian Pine tree which has very long needles with a triangular cross section and a small groove in one side. When there are clouds in the pine forests on the upper part of the island the shape of the needle causes the water vapour to condense and form droplets on the needles. The drops run off the needle and seep into the ground re-suppling the water reserves throughout most of the year. Horizontal tunnels (galleries) have been dug into #EN#Water supply is an important factor on the island of La Palma.
Contrary to some incorrect statements in the press and on other websites there is NO SHORTAGE of water on La Palma. There is a shortage on the over-developed islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria but La Palma does not have a water problem.
Of course being an island the water supply is not unlimited so measures are taken to ensure continuity of supply throughout the dry summer months. Rain falls on the mountains of La Palma in the winter and seeps down in to the rocks. This process is aided by the Canarian Pine tree which has very long needles with a triangular cross section and a small groove in one side. When there are clouds in the pine forests on the upper part of the island the shape of the needle causes the water vapour to condense and form droplets on the needles. The drops run off the needle and seep into the ground re-suppling the water reserves throughout most of the year. Horizontal tunnels (galleries) have been dug into the mountains over the centuries. They contain concrete channels or large water pipes to take the water doen to the populated and agricultural areas.
Water is moved around the island in covered channels or pipes. Farmers and plantation owners usually buy their water from one of the water co-operatives. It is then channelled down to water tanks where it is stored until required. There are often ingenious systems of channels and metal plates to direct water to the plants that need it. | 
