Prensa Ibérica–Aqualia Forum 2025

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosted the sessions of the Prensa Ibérica–Aqualia Forum, a meeting focused on the challenges and opportunities of the integrated water cycle in the Canary Islands. At the invitation of the organizers, the coordinator of the Playa Paraíso 2010–Adeje Technology Park initiative, Miguel Muñoz, attended the event. He has assumed representation of the project and is in direct contact with institutions, public and private universities, and the Adeje Town Council.

The day brought together representatives of the Government of the Canary Islands, Island Councils (Cabildos), municipalities, Aqualia, wastewater treatment specialists, water-cycle managers, and other key stakeholders in the sector. The presentations and debates provided an in-depth look at the current situation, regulatory requirements, and new management models to ensure responsible, sustainable, and efficient use of water resources. One of the forum’s central themes was the need to strengthen municipal water management, especially in territories with small populations, where the implementation of local wastewater treatment plants for communities of around 1,000 inhabitants poses technical and economic challenges. Accordingly, the importance of the following challenges was addressed:

– Improving local wastewater treatment in small populations.

– Encouraging the use of alternative solutions, such as small constructed wetlands, which are particularly effective in hamlets and rural areas.

– Proper management of wastewater and its reuse.

– Increasing investment in sewerage networks and improving existing treatment facilities.

– Achieving economies of scale and fostering intermunicipal cooperation.

Several speakers agreed that the future of water management in the Canary Islands lies in regional models in which various municipalities can join forces to achieve economies of scale, reduce operating costs, improve efficiency in infrastructure and maintenance, and enable more coherent planning of the integrated water cycle. In fact, the Tenerife Island Council emphasized that “it is better to resolve issues among municipalities” and to promote cooperation in order to jointly address problems that, in isolation, would be more difficult or costly to solve. Throughout the day, the importance of securing support from the Autonomous Community and the State to achieve real progress was underscored. Blanca, a technical specialist from the Tenerife Island Council, highlighted the importance of complying with European directives, which introduce new requirements regarding energy neutrality, efficiency in water consumption, and the planning of energy and water expenditure, given that the water cycle accounts for approximately 17% of energy consumption in the Canary Islands.

Likewise, the importance of education, dialogue among various social stakeholders, and outreach was emphasized as a means of engaging citizens in responsible water use. The forum also provided insight into several sustainable water management initiatives and projects currently underway, such as the following:

– The Mayor of Hermigua (La Gomera) presented plans for the future construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. Her presentation explained the creation of water facilities using constructed wetlands, for which the Hermigua Town Council has already acquired land. The Smallwater project, developed with the collaboration of this municipality within the LIFE program, aims to achieve innovative solutions for small localities. The recently established permanent water commission on the island of La Gomera was also mentioned.

– The case of the population center of Valle Guerra (La Laguna) was highlighted as an example of an efficient wastewater treatment plant adapted to its environment in northern Tenerife.

Both Aqualia and institutional representatives stressed that public–private collaboration is essential to achieving a sustainable water system. Joint planning, shared investment, and the development of new technologies are fundamental elements for advancing toward a circular water model. The sessions concluded with a clear idea: the integrated water cycle in the Canary Islands requires comprehensive, flexible planning adapted to the archipelago’s geographic diversity. To achieve this overarching goal, the following specific objectives are essential:

– Collaboration among administrations.

– Technological innovation.

– New local solutions for small communities.

– Compliance with European directives.

– Education and citizen participation.

– Water reuse as a fundamental pillar of sustainability.

In summary, attending this forum provided an extraordinary opportunity to learn about proposals, challenges, and progress at a crucial moment for the islands’ water future. From our business initiatives, we would like to congratulate the Prensa Ibérica group and the company Aqualia on organizing these sessions, as well as the various speakers who took part in them.

–Facebook post about the forum:

https://www.facebook.com/share/17jwnJYvMh/

–Instagram post about the forum:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DR2SvvojiSy/?igsh=MXdiYmd5dWl2YmV6bA==

–Event page “Foro Prensa Ibérica – Aqualia” (forum agenda on water digitalization in the Canary Islands):

https://www.eventosprensaiberica.es/evento/foro-prensa-iberica-aqualia/

–News article in El Día about the deployment of 30,000 sensors in the Canary Islands to make water smarter, discussing Aqualia projects and digitalization of water services:

https://www.eldia.es/economia/2025/10/01/despliegue-30-000-sensores-canarias-122167928.html

–Tag page in El Día for “Aqualia” (collection of articles related to Aqualia):

https://www.eldia.es/tags/aqualia/