The director general of Ecological Transition and Climate Change Mitigation, Ángel Montañés, unveiled yesterday the outcomes of the supplementary analysis and oversight of the additional coastline at the port of La Cruz conducted by the Ministry. This includes a survey of potential pollution sources at the marina, confirming that the issues originate from multiple points rather than just one.
Montañés affirmed this information during a recent coordination meeting held among officials from the Government of the Canary Islands, Cabildo de Tenerife, and the City Council to discuss the progress of initiatives aimed at addressing water quality issues in the swimming areas of the beach. In this context, he emphasised that this document reaffirms the initially proposed roadmap, also enabling a further prioritisation of these actions.
The General Directorate of Public Health will persist with the water quality analyses on a weekly basis and is prepared to increase this frequency if required.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached among those responsible for coastal management.
During the session, which also included technical personnel from Balten, Aqualia, and Ellitoral, Ana Sánchez, the manager of Balsas de Tenerife (Balten), presented the status of the work at the treatment plant, commissioned by the island’s agriculture sector. This facility will comprehensively regenerate over 6,500 cubic metres of water received from the EDAR of the Valley of La Orotava, reducing the flow reaching the sea by 70%. The current forecast is that this work, which is progressing well, will be completed within the first half of the year.
Additionally, Javier Davara, the Manager of the Insular Water Council of Tenerife (CIATF), reported on the advancements in the repair of the damaged section of the outfall, which will ensure the proper discharge of treated water from the WWTP. Administrative approvals have already been secured, allowing the bidding process to commence. He reminded that the progress of the works is dependent on favourable sea conditions in the area.
The City Council of Puerto de la Cruz indicated that strides are being made in disconnecting surplus stormwater in the Vera-Las Adelfas area and drafting plans for the legalisation of drainage channels and the new sewerage system in Punta Brava, with tenders to be handled as a priority. These initiatives are part of a comprehensive sanitation strategy.
