The Town Hall of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, under the leadership of Carlos Tarife in the Public Services department, along with the municipality’s Mixed Water Company (Emmasa), which is part of the Sacyr group, have unveiled the Strategic Recovery and Economic Transformation Programme (PERTE) for the digitalisation of the complete water cycle, integrated into the city’s efforts to combat the water crisis.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez notes that the launch of the digitalisation programme for the complete water cycle aligns with the recent water emergency declared by the Tenerife Cabildo. “From Santa Cruz, we will not only focus on the typical desalination and water regeneration for irrigation, but we will also implement an ambitious project that will enhance our efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability in water management through technology and data analysis, along with the daily dedication of the Emmasa staff, whom I deeply appreciate for their commitment,” he explains.
Similarly, the Public Services Councillor, Carlos Tarife, details that, among other initiatives, 62,000 meters in the city will be upgraded in a smart format, enabling the cross-referencing of data to provide insights into household water consumption and flow-related issues, facilitating the rapid detection and resolution of faults. “This marks a significant milestone in the management of Santa Cruz’s complete water cycle, ensuring our dedication to optimising every drop that flows within the municipality, while also creating 172 job opportunities locally,” he points out.
The Strategic Programme for Recovery and Economic Transformation (PERTE) for the digitalisation of the complete water cycle is allocated a budget of 8,300,000 euros, with 5,555,000 euros being funded through European Next Generation recovery funds, a subsidy representing 67% of the total budget.
Specifically, the programme encompasses 22 actions across the city, encompassing both rural and urban areas, with the objective of reducing water consumption, predicting potential breakdowns to prevent water resource wastage, and enhancing network efficiency to decrease current losses, which currently stand at 8.9%.
Merely 8.9% water losses
As per 2023 data, Santa Cruz concluded the year with just 8.93% losses in the supply network, significantly lower than the national average of 25% and even below the average of other municipalities in the Canary Islands, where losses reach 24%.
The mayor assures that various measures are being implemented to enhance water management by closely monitoring network leaks. “The ongoing water emergency doesn’t just involve devising solutions for water production, but also focuses on optimising our existing resources and maintaining our network,” he stresses.
In this regard, Councillor Carlos Tarife emphasises that Santa Cruz’s minimal losses position it as a leader in water resource management. “Emmasa conducts regular maintenance of over 1,000 kilometers of pipelines across the municipality and its infrastructure, employing cutting-edge systems like remote monitoring and control to monitor all critical points for water supply in Santa Cruz,” the councillor elaborates.
World Water Day
Concurrently, in celebration of World Water Day, the Santa Cruz Mixed Water Company (Emmasa) will launch an awareness campaign on social media, offering recommendations and guidance on the responsible and sustainable use of water.
Councillor Carlos Tarife emphasises that alongside the administration’s efforts for enhanced management, it is crucial to have the support of environmentally-conscious citizens committed to preserving the planet and its resources.
