Tenerife Water Infrastructure Upgrade Reaches 67% Completion
Tenerife has reached 67% completion on its €233.5 million water infrastructure project, a critical initiative funded by the EU and local authorities to improve wastewater management and agricultural water reuse.
Tenerife’s major project to upgrade its water infrastructure is now 67% complete. Led by ACUAES, the Island Council (Cabildo), and the Island Water Council (CIATF), the initiative has already seen 158 million euros invested out of the 233.5 million euros committed in January.
This project is essential for managing water resources and reducing the environmental damage caused by wastewater discharge—a long-standing issue that has previously led to EU sanctions. The work is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Spanish state, and the Island Council.
Progress varies across the island’s different sectors:
Western Sector The new Guía de Isora treatment plant is currently being tested. Costing 37 million euros, it is designed to serve 109,000 people. It includes a pumping network connecting Santiago del Teide and San Juan, with further connections in Chío and the mid-altitude collector planned soon.
Granadilla System The 43-million-euro Los Letrados plant is also in the testing phase. It will serve 145,000 people and includes a network of collectors covering Granadilla de Abona, El Salto, and San Isidro, as well as a pumping line to Ensenada Pelada. Future improvements for Los Abrigos and El Muelle are also in the works.
Arona Este-San Miguel System This area has received the largest investment, totaling 107 million euros. The Montaña Reverón plant is nearing completion, awaiting only its final electrical connection and piping to the San Lorenzo reservoir. Significant progress has been made here, with 48 kilometers of pipe installed and civil works finished at several key pumping stations, including Las Galletas II, Guaza, and Costa del Silencio. The project also includes a solar sludge drying system and a new 4.5-kilometer pumping line for Palm-Mar.
Northern Sector In the north, the La Orotava Valley collectors and the Cuesta de la Villa pumping station are now complete, following a 13-million-euro investment. Meanwhile, the Acentejo system has been allocated 33.5 million euros; technical designs for its treatment plant and pipelines are currently being drafted following the conclusion of a four-year testing phase for its absorption wells.
These upgrades are a vital step toward meeting standards for reusing treated water for agriculture, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of Tenerife’s economy.