The government of the Canary Islands has announced its intention to «complete the system for reusing purified water and minimise discharge into the sea in the first half of the year», indicating that the reopening of Garden Beach could take place around that time, nearly a year following its closure for swimming. This initiative stems from the Confirmed Progress revealed during the Coordination Meeting led by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy, which included representatives from the City of Puerto de la Cruz, the Insular Council of Aguas de Tenerife, as well as the Directorate General of Public Health and Ecological Transition and the Fight against Climate Change from the Canary Islands government, alongside technical staff from Balten, Aqualia, and Ellitoral.
Ana Sánchez, the manager of Balsas de Tenerife (Balten), indicated that the works at the treatment plant, progressing well, are anticipated to be completed in the first half of this year. These works, undertaken by the agricultural department of the Cabildo, will facilitate the integral regeneration of over 6,500 cubic metres of water arriving from the treatment plant in the Valley of La Orotava, thereby reducing the flow that reaches the sea by 70%.
Water analyses and coastal studies confirm multiple sources of pollution
During the meeting, Javier Davara, Manager of the Insular Council of Aguas de Tenerife (CIATF), presented updates on the repair of the damaged section of the emissary, which will guarantee the proper discharge of purified water and has already received administrative approvals, thus beginning the bidding process. He emphasised that the works are dependent on favourable sea conditions in the area.
Additional Measures
The City of Puerto de la Cruz reported that progress is being made in the disconnection of surplus low waters in the Vera-Las Adelfas, along with the drafting of projects aimed at legalising drainage conduits and the new sewer network in Punta Brava, which will be urgently put out to tender. Moreover, the City Council is promoting a new contract for the Integral Water Cycle, designing a hydrological plan for the municipality that includes a Master Plan for Investment, which will guide hydraulic policy in the forthcoming years.
The Directorate General of Ecological Transition and the Fight against Climate Change, which coordinates these meetings and was represented by Director General Ángel Montañés alongside technical staff, presented the results of the analytical campaign and coastal monitoring conducted by the Ministry. This report provides a census of potential marine pollution sources and supports the assertion that pollution does not originate from a single point but from multiple streams. Montañés noted that this document initially confirms the roadmap, enabling further prioritisation of these actions.
Furthermore, the Directorate General of Public Health stated that water quality analyses will continue to be conducted on a weekly basis.
