In the wake of powerful waves that battered the coast, causing havoc to piers and waterfronts, the municipal-owned underwater sewage pipe along the Puerto Santiago coast in the southwest of Tenerife suffered a rupture on August 18th. As a response to this incident, the local authorities closed the bathing beaches as a precautionary measure due to the presence of ‘deposits’.
Emilio Navarro, the Mayor of Santiago del Teide, has confirmed that the subsequent water analyses, carried out to ensure public safety, led to the reopening of the beaches once the results met the required standards and that repair operations for the damaged pipe have begun.
In a statement yesterday (Tuesday), he said: “The intricacy of the task arises from the challenging marine environment, characterized by the ever-changing tides”.
Initial efforts are concentrated on completing the external access platform to the outfall region, a phase that involves collaborating with divers. Concurrently, enhancements are being made to the protective breakwater to guarantee the safety of personnel engaged in the underwater repair operation.
Upon successful completion of the aforementioned tasks, including worker safety measures and improved access provisions, repairs to the pipe itself will be initiated. Officials have indicated that the duration of this operation is dependent on the evolving sea conditions.
To assure the health of the public, the Santiago del Teide City Council is conducting regular water sampling every two days until the repairs conclusively ensure sanitary conditions. Preliminary results indicate that all water quality parameters are well within the prescribed limits, demonstrating optimal or excellent conditions at Los Guíos (Los Gigantes), Playa La Arena, and Puerto Santiago beaches.
The municipal administration took decisive action on the 18th of August by temporarily closing beaches and coastal access points upon discovering a rupture in the pipe. The fissure, which is the focal point of repair efforts, was attributed to recent coastal disturbances affecting the Tenerife shoreline, as stated in an official press release from the council.
Over the past ten days, divers have conducted several expeditions to pinpoint where the damage is, with the ultimate aim of carrying out the necessary repairs.
