The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, secured the commitment of the Secretary of State from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Hugo Morán, this Thursday, to prolong the collaboration agreement until a total investment of 400 million euros is achieved aimed at improving the sanitation and wastewater treatment systems on the Island and halting the discharge of untreated water into the sea.
Morán’s commitment involves advancing an investment package that the Cabildo has suggested to enhance the Island’s purification system. According to Morán, this agreement will boost state investment “to 400 million euros.”
This positions the Cabildo of Tenerife as the authority with the most extensive comprehensive action plan in the nation. This is in partnership with Aguas de las Cuencas de España (Acuaes), a government-affiliated company dedicated to the construction and management of hydraulic infrastructure within the country’s hydrographic basins.
Punta Brava treatment plant, located in Puerto de la Cruz. / The Day
Hugo Morán announced this development this Thursday during the signing of a new addendum to the sanitation and purification agreement for Tenerife between Acuaes and the Cabildo. This addendum raises the investment in the island’s sanitation and purification systems to over 233 million euros from this year until 2029.
This figure, which had already been disclosed last summer, signifies an increase of 63 million euros compared to the initial budget, demonstrating, as Morán stated, “the commitment of all the administrations involved in addressing one of Tenerife’s significant environmental and water challenges.”
During the signing of this new agreement, Morán pledged to escalate that investment from 233 million to 400 million to introduce new initiatives that enhance the water sanitation system in Tenerife and eliminate the discharge of untreated wastewater into the sea, which has posed significant problems for the Island in recent years.
This new accord between Acuaes and the Cabildo of Tenerife has three primary goals:
Ensure the water security of Tenerife: Through these initiatives, the capacity to regenerate wastewater for agricultural irrigation is enhanced, securing water supply for agriculture, which is vital for our economy and ecological sustainability.
Cease discharges into the sea: The new infrastructure will address long-standing pollution issues along Tenerife’s coast, safeguarding marine biodiversity, improving coastal water quality, and bolstering the Island’s image as a destination aligned with environmental responsibility.
Comply with European regulations: This project aids in rectifying the purification issues that previously attracted European sanctions and will align Tenerife with the strictest environmental standards. In 2018, a fine of 12 million euros was imposed on Spain due to untreated discharges in various regions of Tenerife.
