Prosecutors Drop Case Against Two Councilors in Playa Jardín Sewage Investigation
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Public Prosecutor’s Office has dropped the case against councilors David Hernández and Alberto Cabo regarding sewage discharges at Playa Jardín, citing their lack of executive authority over the city's sanitation systems.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Public Prosecutor’s Office has dropped the case against Asamblea Ciudadana Portuense (ACP) councilors David Hernández and Alberto Cabo. The two were previously under investigation regarding the sewage discharges that led to the repeated closure of Playa Jardín between 2019 and 2024. According to documents, the Prosecutor’s Office found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, noting that neither councilor held executive authority over the city’s water and sanitation systems.
A court order dated March 12, 2026, clarified the council’s structure after reviewing mayoral decrees and witness statements, including testimony from the former City Council secretary. The investigation concluded that responsibility for the sanitation network had remained with councilor Flora Perera since 2019, as she held the specific delegation for those public services.
The report noted that Alberto Cabo’s role between 2019 and 2023 was limited to a department subordinate to Perera, with no authority over sewage management. Similarly, David Hernández’s duties were restricted to Urban Planning, with no power over water infrastructure or dealings with the utility company, Aqualia.
While the case against these two councilors has been dismissed, the broader judicial investigation continues. Others still under investigation include former mayor Marco González, the island’s Minister of Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, and the manager of the Tenerife Island Water Council, Javier Davara. The investigation was launched following a health crisis in July 2024, when high levels of fecal bacteria forced the closure of the Puerto de la Cruz beach.
Following the decision, Hernández and Cabo welcomed the dismissal. They stated that the investigation helped clarify political and technical responsibilities that they believe others had previously avoided. Both councilors urged the Prosecutor’s Office to continue investigating the root causes of the discharges, emphasizing that transparency in water management is a matter of public interest.