“We are hopeful because progress is finally being made in the right direction, and we are striving to reopen Playa Jardín for swimming as soon as possible,” stated the mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Leopoldo Afonso (PP), yesterday.
These comments were made on the beach alongside the Councilor for Administrative Concessions, Pedro Antonio Campos, who outlined three specific actions that the governing coalition (PP-ACP-CC) will undertake to eliminate wastewater discharges.
However, the local administration is uncertain when the beach, which has been closed since July, will be able to reopen, as the procedures are not solely under the jurisdiction of the City Council, and the administrative timelines “are what they are, and despite our desire to expedite matters, we cannot,” Afonso remarked. He also acknowledged that “the spillage crisis is an issue we have inherited, but we are committed to resolving it with tangible and effective measures.”
Campos echoed these sentiments, adding that “the chance of reopening the beach by next summer is possible, but there are various projects that, while not municipal, will also be undertaken, such as the rehabilitation of the outfall. As of now, the reasons behind these spillages have not been fully ascertained, but they may be due to a combination of factors; in this regard, we will clarify all uncertainties. Once the emissary’s actions are addressed, and if Public Health reports support it, perhaps the beach can be reopened. “That would be wonderful news, but it will not deter the Government from continuing its planned initiatives.”
In this context, he specified that the first action to be presented to the municipal plenary session for approval will be the disconnection of the La Vera-Las Adelfas downstream waters, aimed at ensuring less water reaches the Playa Chica pumping station, directing it instead to the treatment facility. This will also help to prevent discharges at other coastal locations, such as San Telmo or Martiánez. Additionally, there will be efforts to legalise all pumping stations and spillways within the municipality, enhance the sanitation network in the Punta Brava area, and process a new concession for the integral water cycle, “a contract that we discovered to be expired upon assuming office, like many others.”
Concerning the choice of some beachgoers to disregard the bathing advisory, the councillor made it clear that “they do so at their own risk. This is a situation that we, at the City Council, condemn as they are jeopardising their physical safety based on the information provided to us by Public Health.” Nevertheless, he added, “we are exploring additional actions that could be enacted, such as intensifying surveillance to remind the public that entering these waters under the current circumstances is not advisable.”
