OPINION Gent of Dénia
Given the recent proposal by the local government team to build a desalination plant in Dénia to address the water shortage in the Marina AltaWe at Gent de Dénia would like to express our reservations regarding the economic and environmental viability of this infrastructure.
We estimate that the investment required for a desalination plant would range between 50 and 200 million euros, not including the additional costs associated with the construction of a photovoltaic plant to supply it with energy. This outlay could translate into a significant increase in water rates for the citizens of Dénia, directly affecting the economy of local families.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the existing desalination plants in the region are not operating at full capacity. A clear example is the desalination plant in Jávea, which was designed to supply 186.000 people, is currently operating at less than 40% of its capacity. In fact, there is currently a connection from this desalination plant to the Los Lagos development, located in the municipality of Dénia, which has already been built in anticipation of a connection to Dénia. This shows that we already have viable alternatives that could be optimized before undertaking such a large-scale investment.
At Gent de Dénia we advocate exploring more sustainable and profitable alternatives. A good example is the aforementioned transfer from the Jávea desalination plant or even from Sagunto. They could offer a more economical solution with less environmental impact.
We urge the local government to conduct comprehensive studies that consider all available options, ensuring that any decision taken is in the best interest of the community and guarantees the sustainability of our water resources.
The priority should not only be profitability, but also environmental sustainability and water quality. Today, the brine generated by desalination cannot be used, but proposals are beginning to be put forward for the reuse of brine that will make desalination plants more sustainable. The water that comes from desalination plants is currently not suitable for local agriculture, which we want to promote so much. It must be treated, and with many more conditions, such as the extra cost of treatment. Desalination plants, as industries that they are, must be recycled every 25 years, with investments worth millions.
These types of technologies are constantly evolving. The longer we take to build the desalination plant, the better and more evolved the systems will be. We will obtain more benefits and, above all, we will do less damage to our ecosystems.
It is essential to promote an open and transparent debate, involving experts, environmental organisations and citizens, to determine the best long-term solution for water management in Dénia and the Marina Alta. The time has not yet come to decide on one system or another, especially when time is on our side and there is no real urgency. Let us not make the mistake of rushing into a technology that is still evolving, there is no urgency.
At Gent de Dénia we reaffirm our commitment to responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, always looking out for the well-being of our neighbours and the future of our land.
