PSOE Challenges Claims by CC and PP on Wastewater Treatment Plant Works Linked to Playa Jardín Reopening

The Socialist Group in the Tenerife Cabildo has raised serious allegations against the Coalition Canaria (CC) and the People’s Party (PP), accusing them of misrepresenting the status of the tertiary treatment work at the Punta Brava wastewater treatment plant in Valle de La Orotava. This controversy is particularly focused on the claims made regarding the reopening of Playa Jardín, a popular beach destination.

According to the Socialists, an official document they obtained reveals that the tertiary treatment is not finished and does not prevent discharges into the sea. They assert that the island’s vice president, Lope Afonso, who is also the former mayor of Puerto de la Cruz and the brother of the current president, has made false statements regarding the purpose and completion of this work.

The PSOE has indicated that the situation surrounding Playa Jardín’s reopening has escalated, as it has been confirmed that the work linked to resolving the discharge issues is still incomplete. This stands in stark contrast to Afonso’s remarks made on June 10, where he suggested that the completion of the tertiary treatment would facilitate the reopening of the beach in a matter of days. Notably, Playa Jardín was never officially closed for swimming, but warnings against swimming were in place for nearly a year.

Further complicating the narrative, the Socialists cite an official document from Balten, the public company overseeing the project, dated August 25, 2025. This document states that the primary goal of the project is to generate water for agricultural irrigation, not to mitigate or prevent discharges of treated water into the ocean. The PSOE has pointed out that this work is being executed under a declaration of water emergency, with Balten awarding a contract for emergency work to Aqualia, the operator responsible for the treatment plant and water supply in Puerto de la Cruz, for 2 million euros at the end of June 2024, prior to the swimming advisories issued in July 2024.

The Socialists have expressed concern over the implications of the vice president’s statements, emphasizing that the executing entity itself contradicts his claims. They noted that while the tertiary treatment may eventually help alleviate discharge issues in the Playa Jardín area, it is not currently operational. Afonso had previously announced the completion of the work in June, but reports indicate that the infrastructure is still undergoing testing and will not be fully operational until at least October 1.

Concerns Over Water Elevation for Irrigation

The Socialist Group has highlighted discrepancies regarding the volume of regenerated water intended for agricultural irrigation. Official documents indicate that once the tertiary treatment is operational, it should allow for the elevation of at least 6,600 cubic meters of regenerated water per day to the Cruz Santa reservoir in Los Realejos. However, a response dated August 25 reveals that only 12,053 cubic meters were elevated to the reservoir since Afonso’s announcement on August 10, a figure that falls short of the expected output for two days.

They further argue that if Afonso’s claims were accurate, a minimum of 495,000 cubic meters of regenerated water should have been pumped from June 10 to August 25, 2025. Instead, only a mere 12,000 cubic meters were reported during that timeframe. This leads the PSOE to conclude that the renewed warnings against swimming at Playa Jardín since mid-June occurred without any substantial solutions being implemented and without adequate communication to the public regarding the causes of contamination in the bathing waters.

Implications of Incomplete Infrastructure

The ongoing situation raises significant concerns about public safety and environmental management. The PSOE’s accusations highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the handling of wastewater treatment projects. The allegations against the CC and PP suggest a potential disconnect between governmental claims and the realities of infrastructure readiness, which could have serious implications for both local residents and visitors to Playa Jardín.

Key points

• PSOE accuses CC and PP of misrepresenting the status of the Punta Brava wastewater treatment plant.
• Official documents indicate that tertiary treatment is incomplete and does not prevent discharges.
• Lope Afonso’s claims about the reopening of Playa Jardín have been challenged by the Socialists.
• The primary goal of the wastewater project is agricultural irrigation, not discharge prevention.
• Only 12,053 cubic meters of regenerated water were elevated to the Cruz Santa reservoir since mid-June.
• The tertiary treatment remains non-operational and is still in testing phases.
• Concerns have been raised about public safety and environmental management in relation to the beach’s swimming advisories.