The Socialist Party of Torrevieja (PSOE) has criticised the Partido Popular (PP) for what it describes as “political fiction” in the ongoing debate surrounding the possible construction of a new desalination plant.
Socialist spokesperson Bárbara Soler reminded the council that the final location for such an installation has not yet been defined. According to the contract, it will be the appointed company—under the technical guidance of the Hydrographic Confederation—that will determine the most suitable site. “We are debating a hypothetical project that has not even been properly outlined, no matter how much the PP insists otherwise,” she said.
Water Security and Climate Challenges
Soler underlined the importance of strengthening water security in Spain, noting that both European institutions and climate experts warn that droughts will become increasingly frequent and severe. She emphasised that desalinated water is not a replacement for water transfers, but rather a complementary source.
“With the PP in government, far less water was transferred than under the current administration, which has guaranteed more supply for southern Alicante than any government before it. Even so, transfers alone are insufficient, as Europe continues to restrict them for environmental and sustainability reasons. Denying that reality is simply closing your eyes,” she argued.
Transparency and Accountability
The PSOE rejected accusations of a lack of transparency, noting that the PP failed to present any objections during the basin plan consultation, when Torrevieja was not listed as a location for a new plant. Soler contrasted this with what she called the PP’s “double standards”, pointing to the approval of multimillion-euro coastal development projects during the height of summer without citizen consultation.
She also addressed concerns over outstanding compensation works from the first desalination plant. While insisting that these works should be completed, she argued they cannot be used as an excuse to undermine water security. Responsibility, she said, lies with the state-owned company Acuamed, which was paralysed following the corruption scandal during the Rajoy government.
Responding to Environmental Concerns
Soler dismissed claims by Vox regarding potential brine contamination, stressing that both Spanish and European law enforce strict environmental controls. She added that modern desalination technology is “far more efficient and sustainable” than it was two decades ago and forms part of national resilience strategies across Mediterranean countries.
A Strategic Investment
The PSOE insists that a desalination plant should not be seen as a punishment but as a strategic investment that generates employment, supports a vital sector, and provides protection against climate uncertainty. In contrast, they accuse the PP of rejecting any feasible alternative “simply because it does not bear their stamp.”
Addressing suggestions that the new facility could affect the planned hospital expansion, Soler said: “We need both the materials and the staff for Torrevieja Hospital, which covers a wide area and faces significant new urban growth under the PP. We can provide new medical facilities at any suitable location within Area 22.” She reminded the public that it was the PP who removed €11 million earmarked for the hospital expansion from President Mazón’s first budget and failed to include it in the second.
Urban Growth and Supply Demands
The PSOE also referenced water supplier reports warning that current resources are insufficient to cover new urban developments promoted by the PP. “Where would that water come from if the first desalination plant—so heavily criticised at the time—had never been built? Or do they intend to urbanise without guaranteeing supply?”
Looking Ahead
For the Socialists, the issue is about planning for the future. “This project, wherever it is finally located, is not a threat but an opportunity to consolidate a model of supply that combines transfers and desalination, aligns with European standards, and protects farmers, families, and businesses.”
“Without water, there is no agriculture. Without agriculture, there is no economy or employment—here or in neighbouring Murcia. This is a matter of general interest, and we must be able to see it as such. Water is too important to be used as a political weapon. Governing is about thinking of the future and of generations to come, not just about the headlines of the day. A desalination plant is not a punishment—it is a lifeline for this land,” the PSOE concluded.
