- Torrevieja’s mayor Eduardo Dolón will propose a motion to reject the new desalination plant project in the municipality.
- The project, promoted by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura, aims to add 100 hm³ of desalinated water capacity.
- The Spanish government allegedly plans to site the plant near Torrevieja without local consultation or environmental justifications.
- Torrevieja already has an 80 hm³ desalination plant expanding to 120 hm³, located with minimal environmental impact.
- The new plant threatens urban advancement plans, including the hospital expansion and local restoration projects remain unfinished.
- The city calls for completion of pending works and open dialogue before imposing new infrastructure.
Torrevieja Stands Firm Against New Desalination Plant
Torrevieja’s mayor, Eduardo Dolón, has announced that he will soon present a motion before the City Council to formally oppose the planned construction of a new desalination plant within the city’s jurisdiction. This declaration comes amidst growing concerns over a recent tender issued by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura (CHS), a Spanish government body, aimed at drafting preliminary designs for two desalination plants near Torrevieja and southern Murcia.
Background of the desalination Project
the CHS’s tender titled “Services for drafting preliminary projects to increase desalination capacity to offset resource shortages due to under-provision and over-exploitation in irrigated areas of the transfer and eliminate over-exploitation in nearby zones,” outlines the creation of a desalination plant with an estimated annual capacity of 100 hectometers cubed (hm³). the proposed plant’s location could range from the southern area of Santa Pola to Pilar de la Horadada, including parts of Torrevieja.
Political Controversy and Lack of Local Participation
Local authorities express frustration about the alleged unilateral decision by the Spanish government to place the plant in Torrevieja without adequate consultation. According to statements made by the PSOE regional secretary in Murcia and PSPV’s national leader Diana Morant, the decision appears already finalized, bypassing any public participation, option evaluation, or consensus with the local government and residents.
highlights of municipal concerns include:
- The lack of openness and institutional disregard from the national government.
- Potential irreversible impact on urban development, particularly hospital expansion areas critical for health services in the Vega Baja region.
- Environmental concerns from building a new plant adjacent to the existing desalination infrastructure.
Existing Desalination Infrastructure in Torrevieja
Torrevieja already hosts a desalination plant currently producing 80 hm³ annually,which is in expansion to 120 hm³. This existing facility’s location was selected carefully with thorough territorial and environmental assessments to minimize environmental impact. The proposed new infrastructure risks duplicating facilities and affecting sensitive urban development zones.
Pending Restoration Projects Remain Unfinished
The mayor also criticized the Spanish government for not completing restoration works promised as compensation for the current plant’s construction. Key pending projects include:
| Restoration project | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Dique de Poniente (Western Breakwater) | Incomplete / Delayed | Coastal protection and stability |
| Los Náufragos Beach Walkway | Construction halted | Public access and tourism |
| Lo Ferrís Pathway | Stopped due to ministerial reports | Environmental and recreational value |
| Acequión Neighborhood Restoration Plan | Pending | Community living conditions |
Several of these projects are stalled following reports from Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO), highlighting institutional neglect. The mayor has repeatedly urged the responsible company Acuamed to complete these commitments.
The City’s Demand: Dialogue and Responsible Planning
Mayor Dolón and the Torrevieja City Council reject the imposition of a new desalination plant without technical, environmental, and social justification or consensus. The municipal government demands immediate completion of pending restoration commitments before adding new infrastructure projects that could compromise the city’s growth and surroundings.
As this debate continues, it highlights the challenges of balancing water resource management with local development and community inclusion in southeastern Spain.
Key Takeaways
- The Spanish government is pushing a new desalination plant near Torrevieja as part of a regional water supply strategy.
- Torrevieja authorities oppose the plan citing environmental impact and lack of consultation.
- Existing desalination capacity is expanding, making the new plant possibly redundant.
- Unfinished restoration projects linked to the current plant fuel local dissatisfaction.
- The city demands transparent dialogue and responsible planning moving forward.
Sources:
- Diario de Alicante: Torrevieja to Reject Desalination Plant Motion
- La Vanguardia – Political Statements Regarding Desalination Plant in Murcia Region (Related source reflecting regional perspectives)