Introduction
The Santa Eulària treatment plant, responsible for managing wastewater in the region, recently faced a challenging situation that led to sewage leaks into the surrounding environment. This article delves into the details of the three-day ordeal, highlighting the efforts to rectify the situation and ongoing challenges in wastewater management.
The Unfortunate Breakdown
Sewage Leaks Hit Santa Eulària
For three consecutive days, the Santa Eulària treatment plant encountered a troublesome issue—a breakdown in its collector system. This malfunction resulted in the release of wastewater into the stream that flows into Sa Caleta beach, situated between the is Faralló and is Niu Blau. The incident occurred due to a collector breakdown within the treatment plant.
Immediate Response
Upon detecting the issue, municipal technicians promptly alerted Abaqua, the public company under the Balearic government responsible for managing treatment plants. The incident first occurred on August 27, coinciding with heavy storm rains during the ‘Betty’ weather event. A part of the scrubber collector within the plant collapsed, leading to the release of contaminated water.
Efforts to Rectify
Repairing the Damage
In response to the breakdown, Abaqua initiated repair procedures immediately. To maintain the flow of wastewater and prevent further leaks, operators diverted the usual flow to an alternative channel along the Camí de ca l’Amo Macià through a pumping station.
A Setback Occurs
Unfortunately, a setback occurred when the pumping station failed, resulting in another discharge of wastewater the following Wednesday. The issue persisted the next day due to generator problems. The Santa Eulària City Council reported these incidents but was not aware of any subsequent problems since that day.
Seeking Information
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the Ministry of the Sea and the Balearic Government Water Cycle, the governing bodies responsible for the treatment plant, did not provide requested information concerning these sewage discharges.
Recurring Challenges
It’s worth noting that this area around Sa Caleta, where the treatment plant’s effluent discharges, has experienced similar episodes of wastewater leakage in recent years. To address these recurring issues, Abaqua initiated a tender process in April to adapt and legalize the treatment plant’s effluent. Although the contract has not yet been formalized, the winning bid came from UTE Acsa Obras e Infraestructuras S.A.U and Deburación Aguas del Mediterráneo S.L., with an offer amounting to 4.49 million euros. The revamped effluent system will consist of 367 meters of land section and 483 meters of submarine section to safeguard Posidonia meadows and prevent any further environmental impact.
Conclusion
The recent sewage leaks at the Santa Eulària treatment plant underscore the challenges faced in managing wastewater effectively. While immediate efforts were made to address the issue, the recurrence of similar incidents highlights the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions in wastewater management in the region.
