The Council of Tenerife, via the Island Water Council, has finalised a deal with the state-owned company Aguas de las Cuencas de España (Acuaes), under the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, for an increased investment in the island’s sanitation systems, rising from 170 to 233.5 million euros.
This announcement was made during a press conference by the President of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, who appeared on Wednesday alongside the Vice President and Minister of Tourism, Lope Afonso, to disclose the agreements reached by the Government Council.
Rosa Dávila emphasised that this substantial boost in state investment is aimed at not only addressing the growing costs but also expanding purification and sanitation systems at various locations on the island to prevent discharges into the sea, meet European standards, and prevent potential sanctions in the future.
Dávila outlined that the primary goal of this investment is to establish comprehensive sanitation and purification systems within the territorial boundaries of Arona East – San Miguel, West, Acentejo, Granadilla de Abona, and Valle de La Orotava to rectify non-compliance with the European water protection directive, as well as treat and regenerate wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
The island’s president mentioned that the construction of the new wastewater treatment plants in the West and Los Letrados has been completed, awaiting approval from the Directorate General for Ecological Transition. These treatment plants are set to start operating between August and September, halting discharges into the sea from Santiago del Teide to Playa San Juan and discontinuing discharges in Montaña Pelada, El Médano, thus preventing the closure of the beach.
It was reported that the systems in the West, both in Granadilla de Abona and the La Orotava Valley, are at an advanced stage, with 90% completion, while work is ongoing in the Arona – San Miguel system on the structure of the new Montaña Reverón wastewater treatment plant to enhance the mechanical and electronic equipment. The Acentejo regional system has been finished with drainage wells, and tests are being conducted to validate the chosen solution for this wastewater treatment plant.
