The European Commission has extended financial aid to the Canary Islands to address the shortcomings identified in wastewater treatment, a situation that has led to several sanctions against various local councils. At present, the Canary Islands are facing four fines related to unlawful discharges, one of which is already in the collection stage with an estimated cost of 12 million euros. The European Commission has affirmed that these violations, in some instances ongoing for a considerable duration, continue to adversely impact the environment and public health, particularly in regions such as Arico.
Pedro Jonay Díaz, president of the Local Committee of New Canary Islands-Canarist Bloque of Arico, along with Juan Daniel Fajardo, vice president of Nueva Canarias Tenerife, conveyed their concerns regarding this situation. Having made several formal inquiries to both the City of Arico and the Government of the Canary Islands without achieving a satisfactory reply, they chose to escalate the issue to the highest European body.
Currently, both spokesmen have outlined a strategy to tackle this matter with Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Eurodeputy from Compríst, and Paula Duarte, head of the Marine Medium Unit and clean water services at the General Directorate of Environment of the European Commission. The Canary representatives highlighted the “negative impact of wastewater management in the area” and stressed the “urgent” requirement for enhancements to sanitation infrastructure.
According to the representatives from NC, the European Commission “is prepared to provide financing through the FEDER funds to resolve this issue,” as they contextualise, provided that “a suitable regional plan is submitted.”
