Aqualia is currently carrying out the second annual cleaning campaign of the stormwater network, aimed fundamentally at intensifying these tasks to prevent possible flooding during the rainy season this autumn-winter. In the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz, there are some sensitive areas in which the frequency of these maintenance and cleaning tasks of both scuppers and stormwater networks increases. The areas most at risk from episodes of intense rain are around Plaza del Charco, the tourist area surrounding Avenida Colón and also in the town area, such as San Felipe Street, Puerto Viejo and adjacent streets.
The tourist city has a total of 1.8 km of stormwater network. In the last year, a total of 417 scuppers have been cleaned and unclogged using a tanker truck and high-pressure nozzle, of which 38 have had to be repaired due to structural damage and another 6 due to sealing problems. 16 storm wells have also been restored, of which 6 had the cover sinking and 9 caused noise when passing vehicles, and 2 new drainage manholes have been installed in Plaza del Charco.
The objective of this type of task is to remove all the dirt that accumulates inside, such as leaves, papers, cigarette butts, etc. and that makes it difficult to collect water on rainy days. The municipality’s stormwater network carries rainwater to the corresponding discharge points or to the sewage network. Mayor Marco González wanted to underline the message to the population that “any waste that reaches the scuppers could be taken directly to the sea, which is why it is vitally important not to throw garbage outside the points enabled for this.”
Installed at ground level, scuppers are intended to allow rainwater or liquids flowing on the road to fall into the stormwater or wastewater network in the case of unitary networks. The Department of Community Welfare led by Flora Perera together with the concessionaire company wants to raise awareness among the population that, “thanks to the cleaning and maintenance work and the civic behavior of citizens, the evacuation capacity could be guaranteed.” of water on rainy days in the streets of the municipality, so maximum collaboration is requested.”
In this sense, the City Council and company launched the ‘From here to the sea’ campaign this year, to raise awareness about the good use of the Porto sanitation network by installing 50 plaques next to the scuppers of the tourist city with messages such as “From here to the sea, #Nolotires” and “Stop trash, Clean Seas.”
