The expansion and upgrade of the Playa Blanca Wastewater Treatment Plant (EDAR) was the focus of a meeting on Monday in Yaiza, attended by Marcos Lorenzo, the Deputy Minister for Emergencies and Water for the Canary Islands, and José Miguel García Leal, the Director General for Water.
Yaiza’s Mayor, Óscar Noda, along with the Lanzarote Water Councillor, Domingo Cejas, discussed the project, which is spearheaded by the Lanzarote Water Consortium and funded by the Canary Islands Government. It has received all necessary approvals, including the discharge permit from the Island Water Council and land transfers from the Yaiza Town Hall.
The permissions, recently confirmed, will enable the project to move forward. The plant’s capacity will increase from 2,250 to 6,322 cubic metres per day—an increase of approximately 181%. This upgrade is expected to enhance the treatment of Playa Blanca’s wastewater and improve the discharge through the submarine outfall.
The resolution from the Island Water Council, issued on 29 September, marks a crucial step in the project’s administrative process. The visit from government officials reviewed the project’s progress and coordination between various authorities.
Oswaldo Betancort, President of the Lanzarote Cabildo and the Water Consortium, emphasised that effective collaboration has expedited the permits for this vital infrastructure. He noted that while financial backing is essential, obtaining the necessary authorisations can also be complex. The teams from the Consortium, the Island Council, and the Cabildo have worked closely, supported by positive assessments from regional and national bodies regarding biodiversity and coastlines.
Deputy Minister Lorenzo reiterated that the Canary Islands Government is backing the project’s financing and execution. He highlighted that the newly granted permissions will enhance wastewater treatment capabilities at Playa Blanca.
The process began in January 2024 with an environmental evaluation request, securing its Environmental Impact Report on 31 March 2026 after necessary amendments. Following this, the treatment and discharge authorisation was processed, during which there were no public objections. The process concluded with explicit consent from the Consortium on 28 September and the subsequent approval from the Island Water Council.
This resolution allows for wastewater treatment and the planned expansion, subject to certain technical and environmental conditions. Councillor Cejas added that this upgrade will improve the environmental quality of water discharged into the sea, addressing the needs of Playa Blanca residents and strengthening sanitation in Yaiza.
Mayor Noda stressed the necessity of a fully sufficient treatment plant for the growing population, stating that the expansion is crucial for the municipality. He called for continuous coordination among local authorities and stressed the urgency for long-term investment guarantees.
He also used the meeting to highlight additional municipal needs, including a new Intermediate Wastewater Pumping Station near Marcastell.
