Tenerife authorities investigate Punta Brava chemical spill

Legal actions are being taken following a spill of approximately 1,000 liters of ferric chloride at the Punta Brava wastewater treatment plant in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. The incident occurred in the facility's tertiary circuit, which is used for treating water for agricultural reuse.

The Cabildo de Tenerife, through the Consejo Insular de Aguas de Tenerife (CIAT), has filed a complaint to investigate the cause of the pipe rupture and determine responsibility. CIAT has also opened an investigation into Aqualia, the company operating the plant, to verify if safety, maintenance, and surveillance protocols were followed.

Aqualia has filed its own complaint, suggesting the damage may have been intentional. The company noted that the damaged pipe was not under environmental or pressure conditions that would justify a rupture and cited social media footage showing an unauthorized person inside the facility during the incident. Additionally, the Stop Vertidos al Mar platform has reported the spill to local police and the Civil Guard, alleging that part of the chemical mixture entered the storm drain system.