Raw Sewage Threatens Arona Homes, Health for Two Decades

Residents of the Sara Community in La Camella, Arona, are facing a serious crisis concerning public health and the safety of their homes. For two decades, 72 families living in three apartment blocks on Bambú Street have been without a proper sewage system. They are suffering the consequences of raw wastewater overflowing, which they say threatens both their health and the stability of their buildings.

The problem began in 2006 when the buildings were constructed. At that time, a local government, made up of Coalición Canaria, Partido Popular, and CAN-CCN, reportedly promised to connect the community to the sewage system within five to six years. However, nearly twenty years later, the drainage wells have reached their limit. This causes raw sewage to repeatedly surface in garages, communal areas, and children's play zones, a situation that gets much worse during heavy rains.

Davide Cortellino, the community president, speaks for the affected residents, highlighting not just the unpleasantness but also the severe health dangers. Constant exposure to this untreated wastewater can lead to serious illnesses such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and various skin conditions. Inhaling toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide can also cause respiratory infections. A major concern for residents is how vulnerable children and the elderly are in this environment.

Beyond the health risks, residents are worried about structural damage. The continuous seeping of wastewater into the foundations and structures of the buildings is causing ongoing and irreversible deterioration. If nothing is done, over a hundred families could be forced out of their homes if they are declared unsafe to live in – a situation residents describe as an "announced tragedy."

Despite numerous attempts to contact the Arona City Council, including written letters and phone calls, the local government – from the mayor's office to the Urban Planning department – has remained silent. Residents complain that they haven't received any acknowledgment, explanation, or sign of responsibility from the authorities. The local government did not comment yesterday on this public complaint.

The Sara Community residents remember buying their homes and starting families with the promise of a sewage connection that never happened. After six different local governments, involving most political parties, the need for a solution is now urgent. Their goal is to prevent this situation from becoming a disaster before any action is taken.