The Municipal Water Company of Málaga (Emasa) has initiated a crucial project for the repair of the wastewater pipeline connecting Guadalmar with the Guadalhorce Wastewater Treatment Plant. This initiative, with an investment of 1.8 million euros, aims to replace the infrastructure that suffered significant damage during the intense rainfall recorded in late December.

The tender for these works, recently published on the Public Sector Contracting Platform, has been awarded to Proyectos Técnicos y Obras Civiles, S.A. The contract is managed through an existing framework agreement with five construction companies, totaling 36.3 million euros over a five-year period. The works are estimated to have an execution period of four months.

The pipeline rupture occurred when water erosion affected one of the supports holding the conduits over the riverbed, causing a section of approximately 50 meters to fall. As a provisional measure to prevent discharges into the sea, Emasa has implemented a temporary solution using the regenerated water network, intended for irrigation in the western area of Málaga and Torremolinos, to channel wastewater to the treatment plant. These provisional works are expected to be operational by early May.

The definitive solution will involve the installation of a new underground pipeline, which will reduce its vulnerability to future river floods and eliminate the visual impact of the old aerial structure. The project includes the installation of two one-meter diameter, 120-meter long channels to cross the Guadalhorce riverbed, plus an additional 160-meter section to connect with the network leading to the treatment plant. The dismantling of the remains of the damaged pipes is also contemplated.