Landed irrigation rights, including those of Arucas and Firgas, originated in the 15th century, when the conquest of the Canary Islands had come to an end. Later, the Catholic Monarchs commanded conqueror Pedro de Vera to distribute the land and water conquered in 1480.

The first rules governing irrigation and water policing were published on December 4, 1531. They remained in force until Spanish Legislation was reformed in the mid-19th century. After the Water Act was published in 1856, the people affected by these irrigation rights elected their governing bodies and authority was handed over to the president of these new executive boards. All this took place in 1878. As for the Arucas and Firgas water board, its first president was Bruno González Castellano.

Water is distributed by means of "andulamiento", dividing the water available for irrigation by 30 days (although the number used for Arucas was 31 days). Each person entitled to irrigate can exercise this right, or “dula”, on one of these days.

DISTRIBUTION (CANTONERAS)

The water flows from the source to the distribution boxes, called “cantoneras”, which have as many outlets as parts into which the water is divided every day. The Arucas and Firgas Board “cantonera” has twenty-four outlets, all exactly the same. Irrigation is measured by hours, as follows:
- “suerte” = 24 hours
- “azada” = 24 or 12 hours (depending on the entitlement)
- “día” = 12 hours
- “cuarta y alberconada”= 3 hours
- “gruesa” = 1 hour

The cubic metres corresponding to a 12-hour “azada” may vary, but they can be calculated at a rate of 10 litres per second, resulting in 432 cubic metres of water.

Besides sugar cane crops, the Canary Islands also took its irrigation systems to America. This can be seen in the city of San Antonio (Texas), which was inhabited by natives of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and, above all, Lanzarote. The presence of elements such as the so-called “dula”, which is characteristic of the Canary Islands, in the archives of this city, are clear evidence of the importance of irrigation systems in the Canaries.

“HEREDAD DE AGUAS” BUILDING

The Arucas and Firgas Heredad de Aguas building is opposite the Municipal Garden, in Calle de la Heredad. This building houses the irrigation water proprietors’ association. This organisation’s activities are of key importance in the town’s history. It was the immeasurable construction of stone irrigation channels, “cantoneras” and reservoirs that established the foundations for the economic importance of the Town of Arucas.

In spite of its long history, the water proprietors’ association, or water board, did not have its own premises until 1912. The construction of this magnificent building, with its dome with concave vault segments and excellent decoration in Arucas stone, was approved in 1909. The plans were designed by architect Fernando Navarro. The building work was completed in 1912, and a year later the clock was installed. To this day, together with the clock on St. John’s Church, it continues to keep time with daily life in Arucas.