Tenerife Cabildo Allocates Additional Funds for Playa Jardín Wastewater Treatment Plant Amid Controversy

The Cabildo of Tenerife has recently approved a budget amendment to allocate an extra €842,158.96 for the tertiary treatment of the wastewater treatment facility located in the Valley of Orotava. This decision, made on 23 July, has sparked significant debate among local political factions and environmental advocates.

This funding amendment was prompted by a report that deemed the allocation “urgent and necessary.” However, it has drawn criticism from the Socialist Group, which has accused Vice President Lope Afonso (PP) of misrepresenting the status of the treatment plant. They claim that Afonso previously announced the plant’s completion as a key factor in allowing swimming activities at Playa Jardín, which has raised questions about the transparency of the information provided to the public.

A report dated 30 July clarifies that the allocated funds are intended for settling a previous waste management contract, specifically the UTR Vertresa fee. However, this settlement is entangled in legal complexities that cannot be resolved within the current fiscal year, rendering the funds unavailable for that purpose. This situation has led to further frustration among local residents and environmentalists who are eager for the plant to become fully operational.

Moreover, the report references another document from 26 June, produced by the Insular Water Council. This document was sent to Balten, the public company responsible for treating and transferring water for agricultural irrigation to the La Cruz Santa reservoir. It outlines the need for emergency work to incorporate a tertiary treatment system into the wastewater treatment plant, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The PSOE has pointed out that this information indicates that the treatment plant was not fully operational when Afonso linked its status to the resumption of swimming activities at Playa Jardín. They argue that the necessary works are still pending and will require not only the newly allocated funds but also a construction period of approximately 22 months. This timeline raises concerns about the potential impact on local tourism and public health.

The report highlights several operational challenges faced by the wastewater treatment facility. It notes the need for recirculating backwash rejects from ultrafiltration and cleaning the new tertiary disk filters. A technical study from Aqualia, the plant’s operator, is requested to assess the functioning of the water line formed by the lamellar clarifier and biocarbon filtration. These operational challenges underline the complexity of ensuring that the facility meets environmental standards and public safety requirements.

Operational Challenges Identified

A report received on 9 June revealed significant operational imbalances within the lamellar primary clarification system. The biofiltration process is notably hindered by an excessive buildup of suspended solids that are recirculated from the biofilter wash water. This issue not only affects the efficiency of the treatment plant but also poses risks to the surrounding environment.

The primary clarifier’s performance is subpar, operating at only 38.9% efficiency compared to the expected 56-60%. This inefficiency leads to an influx of suspended solids into the biofiltration system that exceeds recommended limits, creating a detrimental cycle of increased wash frequency and system overload. The implications of this inefficiency are far-reaching, affecting both the quality of treated water and the overall functionality of the plant.

The report suggests that the installation of a dissolved air flotation system (DAF) in the return line of the biofilter wash water could significantly alleviate the concentration of recirculated wastes. This would enhance the primary clarifier’s performance and help maintain acceptable levels of suspended solids entering the biofiltration process. Such improvements are critical for ensuring that the treatment plant can effectively manage the wastewater it receives.

Furthermore, the report indicates that advanced tertiary treatment returns contribute to the overload of the system, necessitating prior treatment of these flows before they re-enter the main line. The DAF system is recommended for handling this type of sludge, based on the technical analysis conducted by Aqualia. Implementing these recommendations could lead to a more efficient and effective treatment process.

Earlier this month, the PSOE emphasized that an official document from Balten indicates a disconnect between the completed works at the Playa Jardín treatment plant and the expected outcomes. The document reveals that only a fraction of the treated water anticipated to be pumped to the La Cruz Santa reservoir has been achieved, raising concerns about the accuracy of previous announcements. This discrepancy has fueled further skepticism among the public regarding the management of the wastewater treatment facility.

Key points

• The Cabildo of Tenerife has approved an additional €842,158.96 for the wastewater treatment plant.
• Criticism has arisen from the Socialist Group regarding the misrepresentation of the plant’s operational status.
• Legal complexities hinder the settlement of previous waste management contracts.
• Emergency work is needed to incorporate a tertiary treatment system into the facility.
• Operational challenges include significant inefficiencies in the primary clarifier and biofiltration processes.
• Recommendations for improvements include the installation of a dissolved air flotation system.
• Concerns persist about the accuracy of reports regarding the treatment plant’s capabilities.