Benidorm begins work to implement the reclaimed water network in Poniente

Benidorm City Council, through its Department of Water Cycle Management, will begin work this coming Monday, November 17th, on Phase 1 of the new main reclaimed water network in the Rajarell ravine area. The contract for this work was awarded to Hidraqua, Gestión Integral de Aguas de Levante, which proposed an investment of €384,999.95 and a three-month completion timeframe.

This project is essential for achieving the objectives defined in the 2022 Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (PSTD) (Green and Sustainable Transition), which is part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), Component 14, Investment 1, Sub-measure 2. This plan is financed by the European Union through Next Generation EU funds, which facilitated the submission of proposals to local entities and autonomous communities under the ‘Benidorm Vision 360’ initiative. The plan included 13 actions grouped into four strategic axes. In this case, the action was integrated into Axis 1: Green and Sustainable Transition, which includes action 2B, ‘Phase I Reclaimed Water Network’.

This first phase of the project involves the installation of 760 meters of ductile iron pipe with a nominal diameter of 200 millimetres, as well as all the necessary components for its proper operation. It begins at the main reclaimed water pipeline of the Lower Algar Canal Irrigation Community, located in the Rajarell ravine area. The project also includes the construction of three service connections to serve “Benidorm Poniente”, “Jardín de Benidorm”, and “Residencial Terramar” residential developments, and the installation of a conduit for municipal services and remote control of the new infrastructure.

The purpose of the planned works is, as mentioned, to implement a reclaimed water network for urban use (irrigation of parks and gardens) in the area known as Sector U-2 Rajadell, next to Poniente Beach. “The use of this reclaimed water will not only contribute to environmental improvement, but will also allow its application in urban landscaping and public service uses, as well as reduce pressure on drinking water resources, promoting more sustainable and responsible water management in Benidorm,” stated Councillor José Ramón González de Zárate.

The works will be carried out in the Poniente area next to the beach, a zone with a high concentration of pedestrians. Therefore, as González de Zárate explained, “the winning company will apply the necessary workplace safety, organisational, and environmental measures to ensure that the works are carried out without causing any accidents.” In this regard, the works will mostly take place along the bike path, so some disruption to pedestrian and bicycle traffic is expected, although vehicular traffic will not be affected initially. The works will begin near the end of the IES Mediterrània school, progressing towards the Rajarell ravine.

Benidorm City Council, the councillor noted, has installed several supply points and sections of reclaimed water pipelines in various areas of the municipality, “as part of the actions we have carried out on public roads to renew hydraulic infrastructure.”

This first phase is being carried out in an area with an estimated potential demand of 6,300 homes, 156,000 square meters of public green spaces, and 127,000 square meters of private green spaces. According to the councillor, this will "make a significant contribution to the municipality's environmental sustainability by reducing the pressure on drinking water resources."

The head of the Water Cycle department described the project as "pioneering and powerful" and reiterated that the intention is to "implement it progressively throughout the city." "We expect it to be completed by the end of February or the beginning of March, so that any property owner in the area can have access to this water to irrigate their gardens, and so that the municipal water service can have reclaimed water for public gardens."

The source of this water is the Benidorm Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). At this facility, the water undergoes conventional purification treatment and tertiary treatment. Before supplying the new sector with reclaimed water, it is planned that this water will undergo disinfection treatment in a facility designed for this purpose.