The Govern has approved a modification to the operating contracts of the desalination plants of Ibiza, Santa Eulària and Sant Antoni to incorporate the management of the three desalinated water dispensers operating on the island.
The Balearic Water and Environmental Quality Agency (Abaqua) has promoted this change with the aim of integrating these charging points into the supply system.
Contractual modification and its impact
The contractual change affects two different concessions. In the case of the Ibiza desalination plant, the incorporation of the water dispenser means an increase of 118,109.53 euros in the contract, which represents an increase of 1.69 % over the initial amount awarded. As for the Santa Eulària and Sant Antoni plants, the management of the dispensers adds 236,209.06 euros, an increase of 2.65 % over the original budget. Both contracts will be in force until May 2028.
The three desalinated water dispensers have been used mainly to reduce groundwater extraction in areas with greater water stress. Until now, their operation was not integrated into the desalination plants’ operating contract, so this change represents a reorganization in the management of the supply.
Objective of the measure and management changes
The technical report justifying the modification highlights that the dispensers, although initially designed for occasional use, require continuous management due to the demand for water in Ibiza. In this sense, the integration of desalination plant contracts will allow more direct control over their operation and maintenance.
Abaqua has indicated that this measure is part of the efforts to improve water management in the Balearic Islands, although possible adjustments in the supply or access to these charging points by the companies in charge of transporting water have not been detailed.
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