SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 30 September (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife has allocated 1 million euros to enhance the sewage system for residences in Punta Brava (Puerto de la Cruz).
The president of the island authority, Rosa Dávila, highlights in a statement that this funding is part of a series of measures aimed at addressing the issue of wastewater discharges which necessitated the closure of Playa Jardín, shut for three months due to contamination levels that render swimming unadvisable.
“The aim is to connect all households in the neighbourhood to the municipal sewage network, a long-standing issue affecting around 450 properties in this self-built area,” Dávila articulates.
In this context, the failure to connect to the sewage system has caused unwanted discharges and has increased the burden on the Punta Brava treatment facility, which is near full capacity.
“From the Cabildo, we have expedited the processes for the expansion and refurbishment of the existing regional treatment plant in Puerto de la Cruz, located in Punta Brava, a project entailing an investment of roughly 20 million euros. We are committed to collaborating closely with the City Council of Puerto de la Cruz and other relevant authorities to restore normalcy in the region and reinstate Playa Jardín as a prominent tourist and leisure destination on the island,” states Rosa Dávila.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability and Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, explains that the Tenerife Island Water Council is continuing various tasks to mend the fissure in the Punta Brava underwater outfall.
These repairs, totalling 201,000 euros, have been sporadic due to maritime conditions and have been conducted under environmental oversight.
In this regard, prior to commencing repairs, analyses of the outfall and its vicinity indicated that the pollution levels were compliant with regulations.
New studies confirm that the levels remain below the legal thresholds and are even marginally lower, as no water is being discharged during the repair works.
Furthermore, the assessments carried out in the area of the Los Realejos spillway, where waters have been temporarily diverted during the repairs, also reveal that pollution levels are within the defined limits.
However, at Playa Jardín, the most recent data indicate values that still discourage swimming.
