Investing in the big six sanitation and purification works on the island, already awarded or underway, increases from 170 to 188 million euros. This was decided this week by the Monitoring Commission of the agreement signed in July 2020 by the Cabildo and the Insular Council of Aguas de Tenerife with the central government, through the State Mercantile Society Aguas de las Cuencas de España (Acuaes). The agreement establishes the development of the actions in the hydraulic systems of the Island during the next years. The works consist of the construction of treatment plants, pumping stations or large collectors such as those in the Valle de La Orotava. The increase in the amount is due to the rise in prices related to inflation.
The importance of the project is demonstrated by this forceful phrase from the insular Councilor for Sustainable Development and the Fight against Climate Change, Javier Rodríguez Medina: «When these works are completed, which we estimate will be ready in the next two years, shameful wastewater dumping will end to our coast that have cost sanctions from the European Union.
President’s appraisal.
These advances in water purification and regeneration they are especially valued by the president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín. In the recent Debate on the State of the Island, he stated that “the most relevant thing, not only in this mandate, but in recent decades for Tenerife is the agreement signed with the Government of Spain to finance six large sanitation and purification actions ». He added: “It is likely that there will be new actions because the agreement is not closed and it will end up exceeding 200 million euros.”
“This is not a promise for the future without a reality,” said the president, who explained that “we have already carried out works for 148 million euros to avoid wastewater discharged into the sea without proper treatment. And, above all, regenerating and desalinating them to be able to dedicate them to the primary sector and offer it in quantity, quality and at a very good price”. Martín linked with the balance in the territory, one of the driving ideas of his mandate, since these hydraulic works are developed throughout the Island. One of the bases for «a better Tenerife, which begins to raise its head after a great crisis and facing new challenges”.
“This project will put an end to wastewater discharges in Tenerife”
Addendum to the agreement.
The general director of Acuaes, María Rosa Cobo; the counselor Rodríguez Medina; the manager of the Island Water Council of Tenerife (Ciatf), Javier Davara. The agreement formalizes an addendum to the current agreement that will raise the investment budget from 170 to 188 million euros.
The works framed in the action that is developed in the West System of Tenerife (Santiago del Teide-Guía de Isora) advance. Thus, after the authorization of the Santiago City Council, started the works of the Wastewater Pumping Station (EBAR) of Puerto de Santiago, as well as the drive to the Punta Blanca Regional Treatment and Pumping Station (Etbar). On the other hand, and within the same action, the construction of the Guía de Isora treatment plant and the Wastewater Treatment and Pumping Station (Etbar) of St. John’s Beach. both go. according to the technicians, at a good pace.
In the Arona Este–San Miguel system, preparations are being made for the start of works on the Montaña Reverón WWTP and work has begun on the collectors associated with it, in the municipality of Arona.
On the other hand, they are foundn execution of the works of the Granadilla system in its entirety: Los Letrados treatment plant, Ensenada Pelada Wastewater Treatment and Pumping Station, subdivision collectors and pumping and coastal drives.
collectors.
They are progressing at a good pace works of general sanitation collectors of the Valle de La Orotava (in this case there was already a treatment plant). Those of Los Cuartos and Los Martillos are practically finished and those of Los Gómez-La Florida, San Jerónimo and Cuesta de la Villa are still underway. The Cuesta de la Villa EBAR is expected to begin shortly. The other great system, that of Acentejo, is further behind in its development. It corresponds to the municipalities of La Matanza, La Victoria and Santa Úrsula.
Icode, the exception.
The negative exception, Rodríguez Medina points out, “is the Icod de los Vinos regional treatment plant, one of the areas with the worst sanitation.” The reason is that “the network has not been adequately distributed and since it is a highly permeable soil there is a high level of infiltration.” On Isla Baja, where neighborhood groups propose a natural or extensive purification, the counselor assesses: «The regional sanitation was not carried out due to social pressure. We are in the first phase in which the discharges from the Las Cruces ravine, among the most spectacular on the Island, have ended. This phase makes it possible to treat the waters of Garachico and the part of Los Silos de La Caleta.
