€80 million plan to end sewage discharges into the sea around Tenerife
More than €80 million is set to be invested in tackling sewage discharges into the sea in Tenerife, under a new four-year strategy unveiled by the island’s authorities. The initiative will focus on improving wastewater treatment systems and modernising sanitation infrastructure across the island.
The draft 2027–2030 Cooperation Plan was presented to representatives from all Tenerife municipalities by the Cabildo de Tenerife.
Aiming for “zero discharge”
Vice-President Lope Afonso said the plan reflects the Cabildo’s commitment to working closely with local councils, with water management and sanitation identified as a top priority.
He stressed that coordinated action with municipalities is essential to achieve the long-term goal of “zero discharge” into the sea, a target aimed at eliminating untreated wastewater spills along Tenerife’s coastline.
The proposed budget is expected to reach €81 million, with funding directed towards upgrading sewer networks and correcting what officials describe as a long-standing sanitation deficit on the island.
Strategic overhaul of infrastructure
Sonia Hernández, Tenerife’s Councillor for Municipal Cooperation, described the draft as an “ambitious strategic document” that will serve as the foundation for joint planning over the next four years.
The focus will be on:
- Modernising ageing wastewater networks
- Improving treatment capacity
- Preventing coastal discharge incidents
- Strengthening coordination between municipalities
Recent years have seen several high-profile pollution incidents affecting parts of Tenerife’s coastline, increasing political and public pressure to address infrastructure shortcomings.
Environmental and international implications
Island officials say the investment is not only about compliance but about repositioning Tenerife as an environmentally responsible destination at both national and international level.
For residents and British visitors alike, cleaner coastal waters are a key concern, particularly in an economy heavily dependent on tourism and beach quality.
If approved and fully implemented, the plan represents one of the largest coordinated investments in water infrastructure in Tenerife in recent years, and a significant step towards ending sewage spills into the Atlantic and preserving marine life.
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