Benidorm requires the Ministry to comply with the investments in Benidorm in water and environmental matters

Benidorm City Council has demanded that the Department of Agriculture, Environment, Climate Change and Rural Development undertake "once and for all" the investments in water that it has pending in Benidorm and that will also benefit other municipalities in the Marina Baixa.

The Councilor for Water Cycle, José Ramón González de Zárate, wanted to "raise his voice" and "claim that the Department does not look out for the citizens of this region and this city." González de Zárate has regretted that in the last six years the regional government "has not wanted to fix the important problems we have" and has indicated that "we are the ones who are making the investments because, otherwise, we would have serious problems."

The councillor has referred to six issues that he has considered "key." On the one hand, he has cited the "non-compliance" of the agreement signed in 2019 with the Public Entity for Wastewater Sanitation (EPSAR) and recalled that an investment of three million euros was contemplated for the city and municipality of Alfaz del Pi .

"This investment included the new canalization from Castellón Street to Avenida del Mediterráneo collector because we have odor and noise problems and many neighborhood complaints," explained the councilor.

Secondly, González de Zárate alluded to the agreement signed between the City Council and the real estate group TM by which it acquired a quarry in Serra Gelada for its regeneration. "They are still waiting for papers from the Department," said the mayor, who has called "unlikely" that still can not take advantage of that area for the enjoyment of residents and tourists.

Another demand that comes from behind is the signing of an infrastructure agreement. At that point González de Zárate has insisted that in recent years "except for a small investment, they have not done anything from the Department." The councillor has specified that Benidorm citizens pay six million every year "and we only receive four", so in the last six years "there are about 12 million that have not been invested in Benidorm."

Fourth, both the City Council and the Marina Baixa Water Consortium have long been requesting authorization to complete the construction of a reusable water basin, which paralyzed the Department. This water basin would be paid 100% by the Provincial Council through a subsidy. The infrastructure would prevent treated water from being dumped into the sea when the treatment plant is in periods of maximum production. "In addition, by installing pipes, that water could be used to put out fires if necessary," added the mayor. The water basin would be located in the old quarry in Benidorm "but the Ministry continues to deny us and raise many objections."

González de Zárate has also emphasized the need to modify the current legislation regarding the financing of treatment facilities and the system of competences in the management of the sanitation fee, so that local entities can carry it out properly and within the regulatory framework that is applicable in this matter.

With this objective in mind, Benidorm plenary session has already unanimously approved an agreement to ask the Valencian Courts and the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces for the pertinent changes in the law. The objective was for the municipalities to be able to make the necessary investments with the sanitation fee, but "maintaining the spirit of solidarity with other localities, which we do not want to abandon" and which is already established in the current law.

The last claim is relative to the revision and modification of the Natural Resources Management Plan (PORN) of Serra Gelada. José Ramón González de Zárate has referred at this point to a motion that was approved in the plenary session of October 2018 by a majority in which the Ministry was requested to allow the construction of water basins for agricultural use in its entirety since this it would facilitate "better management of water resources in a sustainable way", in addition to redounding "in a positive effect on the environment and in the fight against fires".

"We have already met with the regional secretary and the general director and all have been good words, but they have not carried out the modification of the PORN" has clarified the councilor who has concluded by demanding that the Generalitat "give Benidorm and its citizens the treatment they deserve ”.