Tenerife Opens New €17.6 Million Wastewater Plant to Boost Water Sustainability

The new Los Letrados Wastewater Treatment Plant in Granadilla de Abona marks a major milestone for water management in Tenerife. This project, which cost 17.6 million euros and was developed through a partnership between the central government and the state-owned company Acuaes, is a key step toward the island’s goal of ending coastal wastewater discharges by the end of the summer.

The plant currently processes 10,000 cubic meters of water daily from San Isidro. Once planned pumping work is finished, it will also serve the coastal towns of El Médano and Los Abrigos. Beyond protecting the environment, the facility will provide treated water for local agriculture—a vital resource for the island.

This project is part of a broader 233.5-million-euro investment plan covering five major sanitation projects across Tenerife, including facilities in the West, Arona-San Miguel, Adeje-Arona, and the Valle de Güímar, with further work planned for La Orotava and Acentejo.

The launch of Los Letrados, alongside the Western station in Guía de Isora, has helped Tenerife reach record levels of water purification. In 2019, the island could process 25 cubic hectometers of water, or 40% of its annual wastewater. Today, the network can manage over 35 cubic hectometers, covering more than 50% of the water generated by homes and businesses. This expansion improves sanitation services for over 80,000 people, a significant achievement for an island with a population nearing one million.

Local authorities, including the Cabildo de Tenerife and the Granadilla city council, noted that this plant addresses a long-standing public demand. It shifts the island toward a more sustainable and efficient model, helping to prevent the coastal pollution that has been a major environmental concern in recent years.