The Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, led by Teresa Ribera, has announced a delay in the remodeling and expansion works of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of Buenos Aires in Tenerife’s capital until July 2025. These works aim to end discharges into the sea.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s City Council, through the Strategic Planning department, has received a report from the Ministry explaining the causes of the delays in the execution deadlines. Among the causes cited is the delay in the construction of the medium voltage line, which was not completed by the General Directorate of Energy and Endesa until December 20, 2023, five months later than planned.
Additionally, the need to carry out drills to minimize traffic impact due to the occupation of Manuel Hermoso Rojas Avenue’s left lane and to establish the phases and signaling of the cuts and detours, has led to the delayed start of the work until January 2024.
The report indicates that some of the services affected by the layout of the drive on Panama Street have not been defined or have been incorrectly documented in the official service plans, further impeding the execution that began in October last year, after completing the section of the TF-5 highway.
As a result, the Ministry has set a new completion period, marking 15 months from the rethinking document for the modified project, scheduled for April 26, 2024, with the estimated completion of works on July 26, 2025.
Carlos Tarife, the Councilor for Public Services, criticized the Ministry’s announcement of the new delay, stating it lacks meaning or justification. He highlighted that the government is facing a three-year delay in carrying out works in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which reflects the capital’s low priority for the President of the Government or the PSOE.
Tarife also called out the socialist spokesperson, Patricia Hernández, questioning whether she would criticize the national government’s handling of the delays in contrast to the municipality’s efficient work in achieving zero discharges. He emphasized the need to pressure for swift completion of the works to resolve Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s major environmental problem.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition’s response comes after the mayor of Public Services urged the State in December to expedite the expansion work of the Buenos Aires treatment plant, emphasizing its crucial importance in ending discharges into the sea.
