The Government of the Cabildo de Tenerife is maintaining complete silence since last Friday regarding the outcome of the tender initiated by the Insular Water Council of Tenerife (CIATF). This tender was aimed at reforming the Punta Brava emissary in Puerto de la Cruz. Reports from various specialised firms in the Canary Islands suggest that no company has submitted a bid, attributing the lack of participation to the pricing of the project since 2022—a scenario reminiscent of earlier this month with the new Bocabarranco emissary along the coast of Gáldar, which had a budget of 8.36 million euros and a 27-month duration, also based on the prices applicable in 2022 when the project was drafted. Moreover, the consulted sources indicate issues with the company classification requirements for the tender related to operations in La Cruz harbour.
Since last Friday, this publication has sought confirmation from the insular government regarding the status of the tender, but there has been no response, not even to the straightforward query of whether it has indeed been left deserted. Sources affirming that the tender has been deserted connect it to similar circumstances in Gran Canaria and the previously mentioned works on the new emissary off the coast of Gáldar.
The CIATF issued this tender on March 26 via an urgent procedure for the rehabilitation works of the submarine emissary in the Valle de La Orotava.
Although the island government did not specifically mention the treatment plant, it has described the works on the emissary as “the definitive solution to repair the fissure and ensure safe discharge.” At that time, it was claimed that the project would be awarded within the following four months; however, the project and pricing will now require updating to avoid another unsuccessful outcome in this tender, which could end up being deserted once more.
Analyses of seawater quality in Punta Brava have revealed discouraging results since July 2024, particularly at Playa Jardín, the primary beach area of Puerto de la Cruz. The malfunction of three spillways and the failure or saturation of the regional treatment facility are significant factors contributing to the discharge issues in this section of the Orotavense valley. The emissary was intended from its inception as a crucial element in addressing this public saltwater problem, which has adversely affected the tourism and sustainability image of both the port area and the broader valley region.
The project involves replacing a 240-metre stretch of the submarine emissary, currently constructed from fibreglass reinforced polyester, where the problematic fissure is located, with high-density polyethylene. Additionally, the replacement of caps in the prefabricated block section of the emissary that have deteriorated will be undertaken, alongside the installation of new ballast blocks in the diffusers area due to the poor condition of the existing ones.
The island government has emphasised the significance of the urgent procedure to expedite the works; however, the tender has ultimately been deserted. These operations are part of efforts to enhance water treatment, which also include the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility for the Valle de La Orotava region (phase I), designed to serve 102,000 residents across the municipalities of La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, and Santa Úrsula.
