The jams caused by this non-biodegradable waste generate an annual cost of more than 60,000 euros

Hidralia, the company responsible for the integral water cycle in various municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol such as Marbella, Estepona or Manilva, and Benahavís through its joint venture Aguas de Benahavís, has collected so far this year more than 400 tons of waste from the cleaning and maintenance of the sanitation network.

The main cause of the malfunction of the service are wipes, which account for about 40% of the solid waste found; that is, more than 160 tons of this non-biodegradable waste.

These elements, which stand out above the rest, take more than 500 years to disappear, generating serious environmental problems, but they are not the only waste that can be found in the sanitation network. It is also common to find swabs, diapers, tampons and, since the pandemic began, masks, all elements that should not be thrown down the toilet in any case.

The technical teams of Hidralia work daily solving the jams in the general sanitation network caused by this type of waste, which means that interventions are carried out for jams not only in the network, but also in the pumping stations, since this waste blocks the impulsion pumps. A problem that is even more aggravated in case of reaching the treatment plants. 

Awareness

To avoid these problems and achieve an adequate management of this waste, Hidralia carries out different awareness campaigns throughout the year with which it aims to avoid environmental and economic problems caused by obstructions and damage to homes, sewerage networks, pumping equipment and treatment plants.