The Government Council of the Canary Islands has today approved a financial adjustment that will enable the Department of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water to allocate 5.3 million euros for the refurbishment of the Punta Brava underwater outfall in Puerto de la Cruz, alongside enhancements to the water supply network in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura.
This financial modification as the year draws to a close is warranted, as articulated by the Minister of Territorial Policy, Manuel Miranda, due to “the pressing need to provide monetary assistance to the councils of Tenerife and Fuerteventura, in the midst of a water emergency, to address two significant issues of spills in one instance and water supply losses in another.”
The initial project, which carries a budget of 2.7 million euros, will be managed by the Tenerife Cabildo through its Insular Water Council. It encompasses the replacement of a 240-metre segment of the Punta Brava wastewater outfall, aimed at enhancing its durability and anchoring to the seabed. The project is expected to last approximately 16 months, subject to the prevailing sea conditions in that part of the island.
The repair of this outfall forms part of various initiatives currently underway by the Government, the Cabildo and the City Council to tackle the pollution issue that has led to the closure of Playa Jardín for bathing since July 3.
In relation to the regional administration, apart from the Department of Territorial Policy, the Department of Ecological Transition, the General Directorate of Public Health, and the General Directorate of Coasts are also involved. Among other responsibilities, they conduct periodic analyses and subsequent reports regarding water quality in that area, alongside another financial modification of 300,000 euros currently in process for improvements to sanitation in the Punta Brava neighbourhood.
Puerto del Rosario
The second project benefiting from this budgetary modification involves the establishment of a new water distribution network in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura. The allocation for this initiative is set at 2.6 million euros and is intended to cover the expenses of a venture aimed at enhancing supply for the inhabitants of the island’s capital.
This initiative is part of works designated as emergencies by the Fuerteventura Cabildo. Currently in progress, it consists of partial replacements of the Puerto del Rosario distribution network, with a completion timeline set for January 2025. Certain sections were experiencing significant losses and frequent breakdowns, prompting the decision to commence works on the distribution network in the capital of Majorca, including the replacement of fibre cement pipes.
The financial modification documentation approved today by the Government Council will subsequently lead to two agreements with the councils of Tenerife and Fuerteventura to facilitate the transfer of funds to both administrations, which will oversee the implementation of the works.
