Recent studies conducted by the Island Water Council (Ciatf) and the General Directorate of Ecological Transition and Fight Against Climate Change of the Government of the Canary Islands have shown that the monitoring and releases from the Punta Brava underwater outfall are not causing any biological contamination. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the source of the water quality issues that led to the swimming ban being imposed at the entire Playa Jardín Complex since last Wednesday, impacting the Puerto de la Cruz destination.
This decision was made based on a report by the General Directorate of Public Health, as part of the Health Surveillance Programme for Bathing Waters of the Canary Islands, which confirmed the poor water quality due to faecal contamination and advised against swimming in the area. Despite warning signs installed on the beach, many individuals have disregarded this advice.
Last Saturday, a resident of Punta Brava raised concerns about “uncontrolled discharges for two years due to a ruptured pipe connected to the outfall,” affecting the entire coastline.
For the past two years, there has been a ruptured pipe at the outfall that remains unrepaired. As a result, it is “constantly chlorinated,” and the CIATF conducts regular monitoring at six different points of the outfall through an authorised independent company. The assessments confirm that the water is suitable for discharge. Therefore, the contamination is not originating from the outfall,” emphasised Blanca Pérez, the island’s environmental councillor.
The Tenerife Island Council is awaiting approval from the General Directorate of Coasts to commence comprehensive renovation works on this infrastructure, with an investment of two million euros. Once the authorisation is granted, the necessary actions will be taken.
Furthermore, immediate repairs will be carried out on the damaged pipe, and the obsolete extension to the regional treatment plant will be removed promptly.
When questioned about the delay in obtaining the permit, Pérez explained that it was due to “urban matters that needed clarification with the City Council,” which have now been resolved. Once confirmed, the Ciatf will proceed with the works.
Regardless, it is evident that the beach has been experiencing contamination since 2016, according to Public Health. This necessitates the improvement of all infrastructures, including local sanitation,” states Pérez. He mentions that during a recent meeting with various authorities, including the director general of Public Health José Fernando Díaz-Flores, the manager of the Island Water Council Javier Davara, and the mayor Marco González, the need to review all sanitation facilities was emphasised to identify the potential contamination sources. “There could even be controlled discharges that are going undetected,” he adds.
In a similar vein, the Councillor for Community Welfare, Public Services Management, and Industrial Activity, Flora Perera, echoed these sentiments, stating that “the current issue lies in the uncertainty surrounding the spill’s cause, as indicated by the Directorate General of Public Health of the Canary Islands. The deterioration in water quality is an ongoing problem that could result from various factors.”
Ángel Montañés, the general director of Ecological Transition and Fight Against Climate Change, confirms that the monthly analyses of legal discharges have all been satisfactory and up to date, the Government of the Canary Islands has no evidence of any biological contamination in the area. The latest report from April 2024 highlights an organic matter overload, prompting a modification proposal for the treatment plant by the Cabildo de Tenerife.
There are also illegal discharges through the overflow channels, four or five as mentioned by Montañés, which are under the responsibility of the City Council for monitoring and operation. Only the Punta Brava WWTP outfall, from the La Orotava Valley collector, has received authorisation and construction approval.
