The plenary session of Candelaria has approved the third extension for 10 years of the contract for supply of drinking water and sanitation to the concessionaire, FCC Aqualia SA, with a fee of 1,866,000 euros. This decision was made with votes in favour from the Municipal Government (PSOE), abstentions from PP, CC, and VOX, and a sole vote against from United Yes Podemos (USP).
The contract with Aqualia dates back to May 9, 1995. It includes five extensions of 10 years each. The extension approved yesterday, which comes into effect today, is the third and will be valid from May 15, 2025, until May 13, 2035. The first extension was from 2005 to 2015, and the second from 2015 to 2025.
The fee previously was one and a half million euros but has now increased to 1,866,000 euros, reflecting a 24.4% rise, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded since 2015, when the second extension of the contract ended.
Another notable aspect is that the municipal government led by Mari Brito mentioned that the concessionaire, Aqualia, has waived its claim for compensation for imbalance amounting to 407,661 euros, which arose from the spike in energy costs due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Airam Pérez, the Finance Councillor, described the agreement as “highly satisfactory” and “very advantageous” for both the administration and the residents of the Mariana Villa. He emphasised that “this is the first time an extension of a contract is intended to carry out works: “It will enable us to implement actions in sanitation, supply, and infrastructure.” He noted that the impact of the fee on residents’ bills “is minimal,” yet “the price of water remains a concern that requires intervention from the Canary Islands government.”
José Fierro, council member of Unidas, criticised the governing group for acquiescing to the concessionaire’s demands, stating that the legal report categorises the payment of 407,661 euros, which Aqualia has relinquished, as a “full entitlement.” He argued that the management of this company “does not benefit Candelaria” and advocated for public management of services.
Jacobo López, the spokesperson for the PP, called for a new tender, as did Angela Cruz, his counterpart from CC, who presented before the plenary “numerous” complaints from residents regarding the service provided by Aqualia. Furthermore, she noted that “The fee is inadequate to address the significant shortcomings in the water supply network.” She pointed out discrepancies in the proposed works, highlighting a coincidence of costs “to the cent” across various statements and developments of the projects.
