SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 31 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife, via the Insular Water Council (CIATF), will initiate a thorough examination of the Punta Brava underwater outfall from today, Thursday, until November 2. This will be conducted using a sophisticated underwater robot (ROV), a device operated remotely that captures images and videos in areas that are challenging to access, thereby ensuring safety and accuracy in the inspection of the pipelines without the necessity for direct involvement by divers.
The island advisor for Medio Natural, Blanca Pérez, emphasised the significance of this technology, stating, “the ROV provides us with a comprehensive and precise view of the condition of the underwater structures, identifying cracks, disconnections, or degradation with an unparalleled level of detail.”
The aim of this latest inspection is to thoroughly assess the length of the fissure and to determine whether an alternative provisional solution can be implemented, following an unsuccessful attempt to inject underwater mortar a few weeks prior, as noted by the CIATF manager, Javier Davara.
For the execution of these tasks, a saltwater pumping system will be installed at the outfall to facilitate inspection over these three days; a flange in the diffuser area will be disconnected for inspection, and the state of the pipelines will be assessed using the ROV.
Additionally, the CIATF will temporarily halt the discharge of treated water through the outfall and redirect it to a relief system towards a slope near Camino Burgado (TF-316), at coordinates X:346.234; Y:3,143,371.
According to the Natural Environment Minister, it is “essential to clarify that the discharged water is not sewage, but wastewater that has been thoroughly treated at the Regional Treatment Plant of the La Orotava Valley, ensuring its safety and quality for the environment.”
In fact, the CIATF routinely conducts analyses and produces subsequent reports on the quality of the waters in that area of the Port of Portugal coastline, complying with the stipulations of the current Sea Discharge Authorisation.
REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF THE EMISSARY
The inspection with the ROV forms part of an emergency initiative to rectify the crack in the outfall, which the CIATF has been undertaking in collaboration with other weekly sampling initiatives alongside the Government of the Canary Islands and the City Council of Puerto de la Cruz to diagnose and resolve the pollution issue affecting Playa Jardín, which has been closed for bathing since July 3.
However, as a permanent solution, the CIATF drafted a project in 2022 that outlines the replacement of a 240-metre section of the outfall, currently constructed from polyethylene reinforced with fiberglass, a material that has proven unsuitable for the marine environment and where the fissure is precisely located. The replacement will be undertaken using high-density polyethylene, a significantly more resilient material well-suited for these conditions.
Upon completion of the works, the new section will enhance the resistance and anchoring of the outfall to the seabed, ensuring its longevity in challenging conditions. The project is expected to take approximately 16 months, subject to weather and maritime conditions.
