Ampliados los depósitos de cola del Odiel para garantizar el suministro de agua
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, has inaugurated the works to increase the capacity of the tail regulating tanks of the Odiel Siphon, declared of interest to the Community in 2020, with an investment of €19,980,103.59.
During the inauguration ceremony, which was also attended by the Mayor of Huelva, Pilar Miranda, the Minister highlighted that the Andalusian Government «keeps its word» regarding one of the major hydraulic projects in Andalusia.
Adding to the two regulating tanks built in the late 1960s, with a capacity of 120,000 m3 between the two, an additional 80,000 m3 has been added thanks to the construction of a new tank adjacent to the existing ones and interconnected with them, resulting in a total capacity of 200,000m3. «This action will not only improve local supply but also strengthen a key infrastructure for the economic growth of the metropolitan area of Huelva,» said the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
This is also a vital project for water storage in the province of Huelva, which will prevent possible shortages in case of a malfunction of the Odiel Siphon, resulting in significant economic losses to the Industrial Hub, the irrigators of Palos and Moguer, the Port of Huelva, the population of the County of Huelva, and the southeastern coast of this province.
Covered with a sports area
The Minister also emphasized that, as part of this project, the Andalusian Government made a significant commitment to the Huelva City Council to ensure the full integration of the infrastructure into its urban and social environment. To achieve this, the new tank has been buried, allowing the Torrejón public park to continue as a space for public use.
On the structure of this third tank, an accessible cover has been developed and equipped with sports facilities for public use, which are handed over to the Huelva City Council and include a rugby field, a 7-a-side football field with artificial turf, multi-purpose courts (for basketball, futsal, and volleyball), changing rooms, toilets, seating areas, and an access building.
«Facilities for the enjoyment of the people of Huelva, demonstrating the commitment of the Andalusian Government to a much-needed hydraulic infrastructure, respectful of the environment and designed for collective well-being,» said the Minister.
Improvement works for the Huelva wastewater treatment plant
Regarding the improvement and adaptation works at the Huelva Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), tendered by the Andalusian Government at the end of last year for more than €43 million, a facility that does not meet European standards, Fernández-Pacheco announced that there are significant offers on the table and that the project’s award resolution will be signed «in a short time.»
He defended the Government’s commitment to the province of Huelva in water matters, with 28 water supply and treatment infrastructures completed in the province since 2019 worth over €117 million. Three are currently under construction worth over €25.6 million, including the replacement works of the urban wastewater transport collector from Cartaya to the La Antilla WWTP, in Lepe, for over €4 million.
Additionally, works have been completed to improve efficiency and ensure high supply for the Sierra de Huelva (Phase 1), costing €3.5 million; the wastewater treatment plant corresponding to the expansion of the La Antilla WWTP, costing €23.1 million; or the joint collectors and WWTP project in Nerva-Riotinto, costing €12.3 million, among other actions.
