An extensive register of all properties and sites containing asbestos in the municipality, along with an assessment of their risk levels, has been compiled by the Sustainable City department of the Puerto de la Cruz City Council, under the leadership of David Hernández (ACP). This task was outsourced to a specialist firm in December, resulting in a detailed document that includes a proposed schedule and deadlines for asbestos removal.
The register encompasses public and private buildings, facilities, and sites, as well as water and sanitation networks that contain asbestos. “Our primary objective as an administration is to share this gathered information in order to initiate the removal process, prioritizing properties and sites based on their risk levels and the extent of exposure to the most vulnerable populations, thus ensuring compliance with current regulations,” explains Hernández.
Both the register and the proposed schedule, which will be made accessible to the public, will be submitted to the relevant health, environmental, and labour authorities of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, as mandated by law. These authorities will conduct inspections to assess the condition of these sites. “This documentation will enable the council to establish a removal schedule not only for properties owned by the municipality, but also those owned by other governmental bodies and private entities, who will be notified of the presence of asbestos so they can take appropriate measures,” Hernández elaborates.
The data gathered in the register is available in the LocAm web viewer, provided to the council at no cost for a year by the contracting firm, serving as a valuable information tool for local technicians involved in urban and territorial management tasks.
“At Ciudad Sostenible, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Porto, by safeguarding the environment and fostering a more sustainable and liveable municipality. Our main focus remains on the well-being of our citizens and, although there is still progress to be made, we are resolute in our efforts to enhance our surroundings, such as through initiatives like this that facilitate the elimination of potentially harmful materials,” he affirms.
