ACUAES Increases Lanzarote Water Investment to €52.5 Million: What It Means for Residents and Visitors
Lanzarote’s long-term water infrastructure is set for a major boost after Spain’s state-owned water company, ACUAES (Aguas de las Cuencas de España), approved an increase in investment for key wastewater and water treatment projects across the island.
The latest funding package raises the total investment from €37.5 million to €52.5 million, representing an increase of around 40%, with projects planned or already underway in Arrecife, Tías, Puerto Calero, Yaiza and Uga.
Why is this investment important?
Water has always been one of Lanzarote’s most valuable resources. As a volcanic island with very little natural freshwater, Lanzarote relies heavily on desalination and modern wastewater treatment systems to meet the needs of residents, businesses and the millions of tourists who visit each year.
This latest investment aims to:
- Improve wastewater treatment facilities.
- Increase the capacity of existing infrastructure.
- Expand the island’s sewer network.
- Produce more reclaimed water for irrigation and public spaces.
- Help Lanzarote meet European environmental standards.
What’s happening in Arrecife?
One of the biggest projects is the expansion of the Arrecife Wastewater Treatment Plant (EDAR).
Once completed, the upgraded facility will:
- Serve the equivalent of around 126,000 people.
- Significantly increase wastewater treatment capacity.
- Improve the quality of treated water.
- Modernise ageing infrastructure.
Construction is already well advanced, although part of the planned sea outfall had to be redesigned after engineers encountered technical difficulties during installation. A new contract has been prepared to complete the remaining section.
Major improvements planned for Tías
Residents in Tías and nearby areas will also benefit from extensive upgrades.
The project includes:
- Expansion and modernisation of the Tías wastewater treatment plant.
- New pumping stations.
- Improved pipelines from Puerto Calero.
- A new land-based outfall.
- Rehabilitation of sections of the existing submarine outfall.
These improvements are expected to increase treatment capacity while making the system more reliable for future population growth.
New infrastructure for Yaiza and Uga
The additional funding also allows for new infrastructure further south.
Plans include:
- New wastewater pipelines connecting Yaiza, Uga and the new treatment facilities.
- New pumping stations.
- Improved wastewater transport across the area.
These upgrades are designed to strengthen the island-wide network and reduce pressure on existing systems.
Better use of recycled water
An important part of the project focuses on water reuse.
A new reclaimed water storage reservoir will allow treated wastewater to be reused for:
- Agricultural irrigation.
- Cleaning public streets.
- Watering parks and gardens.
Reusing treated water helps reduce demand on Lanzarote’s limited freshwater resources and supports more sustainable water management across the island.
How is the project being funded?
According to ACUAES, approximately half of the investment will be supported by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) funding for 2021–2027.
The remaining funding will initially come from ACUAES through its own resources and financing arrangements, with costs expected to be recovered over time through the operation of the new infrastructure.
What does this mean for Lanzarote?
For both residents and visitors, reliable water infrastructure is essential.
Modern wastewater treatment helps:
- Protect Lanzarote’s coastline and beaches.
- Improve environmental sustainability.
- Support tourism.
- Secure water supplies for agriculture.
- Prepare the island for future growth.
While much of this work takes place behind the scenes, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of life that both locals and holidaymakers expect.
As Lanzarote continues to welcome millions of visitors each year, investing in resilient water infrastructure will remain one of the island’s biggest long-term priorities.
