The Town Hall of Teguise, the Cabildo of Lanzarote and the Government of the Canary Islands have held a coordination meeting to define the next steps of the sanitation project on the island of La Graciosa.
The sanitation project for La Graciosa, a long-standing demand from the residents of the eighth island, is moving towards its final phase. Representatives from the Town Hall of Teguise, the Cabildo of Lanzarote, and the Government of the Canary Islands have met to coordinate the next steps of a key infrastructure for the sustainable development of the territory.
The meeting, held at the Town Hall of Teguise, served to discuss the timelines, investments, and responsibilities of each administration. According to municipal sources, the aim is for the works to begin as soon as possible, once the administrative and technical procedures are finalised.
La Graciosa, which is administratively dependent on the municipality of Teguise, lacks a comprehensive sanitation system. Currently, wastewater is managed through individual septic tanks, which generates environmental and health problems, especially during the peak tourist season.
The mayor of Teguise, Olivier González, has highlighted the importance of inter-administrative coordination to advance a project he described as “a priority” for the island. “We have been working for years to ensure that La Graciosa has a dignified sanitation system. Today we have taken a firm step towards making it a reality,” he stated.
For her part, the water councillor of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Eva de Anta, explained that the island institution will assume part of the funding and execution of the works. “The Cabildo is committed to improving water infrastructure across all the islands, and La Graciosa is a priority,” she affirmed.
The Government of the Canary Islands, through the Ministry of Ecological Transition, has also confirmed its economic and technical support. Sources from the regional government have indicated that the project is part of the investment plan for purification and sanitation for the period 2024-2027.
The projected system includes the installation of a sewage network that will connect the homes and tourist establishments of La Graciosa to a wastewater treatment plant (EDAR). This infrastructure will allow for the treatment of water before its discharge or reuse, preventing contamination of the subsoil and the coastline.
According to municipal technicians, the network will be several kilometres long and will cover almost the entire urban area of La Graciosa. The EDAR will be located on a plot reserved for this purpose, away from inhabited areas to minimise disturbances.
The project has been long demanded by residents and the tourism sector, which sees sanitation as an essential condition to ensure the island's environmental quality. La Graciosa, declared a Marine Reserve and Special Conservation Area, receives thousands of visitors each year.
The Town Hall of Teguise has insisted that the works will be carried out with minimal impact, respecting the natural values of the territory. “This is a necessary intervention, but also one that is respectful of the environment,” the mayor emphasised.
The three administrations have agreed to create a monitoring committee that will meet periodically to supervise the progress of the works and resolve any issues that may arise. The next meeting is scheduled for two months from now.
Meanwhile, the residents of La Graciosa are eagerly awaiting the start of works that will put an end to decades of deficiencies in a basic service. The expectation is that the first earthworks could begin before the end of the year.
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