Manuel Miranda: The Flowers Pact left Fuerteventura without a single water project drafted

Hydraulic planning occupies a large part of the Canary Islands Government’s agenda in Fuerteventura during the current legislature. The Councillor for Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, Manuel Miranda, explained in an interview on Thursday that the regional executive has had to start from scratch on the island regarding projects linked to the integrated water cycle.

“The Flowers Pact left not a single water project drafted for Fuerteventura,” he said, adding that the lack of technical planning has conditioned the start of his mandate in the hydraulic‑infrastructure sector.

Miranda also highlighted the investment effort the regional government is committing to water‑related works on the island, stating that the Government of the Canary Islands plans to mobilize between €30 million and €40 million on Fuerteventura over the term. The aim, he explained, is to rebalance investment across the islands and correct the accumulated deficit in water infrastructure on Fuerteventura.

No services, no growth nor more housing

Among the actions underway, Miranda emphasized the expansion of the Puerto del Rosario Wastewater Treatment Plant (EDAR), an infrastructure deemed essential for the capital’s development. Without treatment capacity, urban growth and the authorization of new housing or economic activities are impossible, he warned.

• The project, with an investment exceeding €13 million, is currently in the tendering phase and is slated for completion by the end of 2027.
• Before the EDAR becomes fully operational, the laminating tank of Puerto del Rosario will be brought online during the current fiscal year, once the installation of machinery and pending technical adjustments are completed. This tank is crucial because it regulates the inflow of water to the treatment plant, preventing flow peaks that could disrupt operations.

The hydraulic plan also includes a future desalination plant in the south of Fuerteventura, intended to reinforce water supply in the area experiencing the greatest population and tourism growth. The project is now in the technical‑study and administrative‑procedure stage. Miranda indicated that construction could begin in late 2028 or early 2029, provided that the permitting process proceeds smoothly and financing is secured.

He further stressed the need for municipalities to have mature, processed projects in order to access funding and implement hydraulic infrastructure. Such initiatives require years of administrative work, land availability, environmental assessments, and coordination among various administrations, so he urged local councils to advance technical planning.

Protect the soil, protect Fuerteventura

In parallel, the council is working on environmental restoration of the soil in the El Cotillo area of La Oliva. The project, funded by the regional budget, will be carried out through a contract with the public company Gesplan. Works are expected to start after the summer, once the bird‑nesting period ends and access constraints are resolved.

Miranda explained that the action responds to a European requirement linked to coastal environmental protection. It involves restoring urbanised land in the Majanicho zone, which was impacted by the Origo Mare development, and removing non‑compliant urban elements to return the area to its original state. Although driven by European observations, the regional government considers the restoration vital for recovering the natural environment.

Another priority is curbing illegal occupation of rustic land, a phenomenon that worries authorities due to its territorial impact. The regional executive is collaborating with municipalities, the Cabildo, and the Guardia Civil on urban‑discipline actions and on modifying regulations to extend processing deadlines, ensuring sufficient time to complete procedures. As Miranda put it:

“The administration is slow, but it acts.”

Campaigns with greater impact

Finally, Miranda announced the reinforcement of sea‑safety prevention and rescue campaigns in response to the persistently high drowning figures along the Canary coast. The Government of the Canary Islands is working together with the tourism sector to improve information for residents and visitors through multilingual alerts and more impactful awareness campaigns, focusing on self‑protection and respect for danger signals.