An analysis of the Acosol Odours situation-courtesy of AI

Dear Fellow Citizen

The following is based on AI’s conclusions from the information we have so far been able to provide. If any of the assumptions are wrong, we would urge Acosol to correct us. We would welcome Acosol’ s explanation of why they receive c 26.4% of our water costs, but we have worsening smells!

  • The Estepona Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) has a treatment capacity of 100,000 m³/day, serving approximately 400,000 people.
    • There are bad smells being released across the area, affecting different people depending on the Wind Direction.
    • Having analysed one year of my water bills, for one apartment, we have paid Hidralia €450.22. Of which, according to the bill, there is a Canon* in favour of Acosol of €118.72. That is 26.4% of the bill.
    • I have no way of knowing if this is an average water bill, but given that local customers include businesses, hotels and even schools, I doubt it.
    • However, in the absence of any other information, let’s assume that there are currently 200,000 customers in the catchment area, paying this average amount. It alone would generate ANNUAL revenues for Acosol of €23.744 million per year, including IVA.
    • We all know the area has increased substantially in the past 10 years alone, and we can all see the number of new developments. Assume that 10 years ago, there were only HALF the customers – that would mean the Acosol REVENUES have increased from c€12m per year to €24m per year JUST in respect of the Estepona WWTP, presumably, one of 13 such plants? If the area doubles again in the next 10 years, revenues will increase to c €50m. EVERY YEAR.
    • Surely with that level of income based on just this plant alone, it would seem that there is plenty of revenue to enable Acosol to ensure that effective measures are taken to protect the quality of life for their own customers – and even schools!
    • Although we need an expert to be given access to the plant to accurately cost the required works, based on information I was able to provide, AI has suggested that Major Investments needed might potentially be of the order of €5 million; mid-range solutions between €1-3m and Low-Cost measures ranging between €50,000 to €500,000. It could be more, we do not yet know, but their level of income and gold-plated future income certainly justifies CapEx.
    • Even if these sums could not be found from their own revenues, or from the element of IVA that is included and earned by Government, with income streams of the quality and level that Acosol gets from the Acosol canon, there would be no shortage of funds available to Acosol to fund the investment immediately.
    • I hope to put all of these points to Acosol on behalf of members of the Estepona Citizens Action Group. I assume that anyone at the Acosol Plant would prefer not to have to go to work through smells, and I cannot believe that any manager there is happy about the smells they are inflicting. So, I assume that we will have local support. We may just need to help them, by making the Acosol Budget Decision-makers, realise that this REALLY MATTERS.
    • “NO MORE SMELLS” as one of our members succinctly put it.

*What is a Canon?

In this context, a “canon” refers to a fee or levy charged by a public or private utility for the use of public infrastructure or for the provision of specific services. Canons are often used in Spain to fund infrastructure improvements, environmental initiatives, or to remunerate public entities like Acosol for their role in the water management cycle.

Acosol, S.A. is a public company responsible for managing the integral water cycle in the Western Costa del Sol region of Spain. Below is an overview of its ownership structure, operational areas, contractual arrangements, licensing, contract renewability, and remuneration methods.

Ownership Structure:

Acosol operates under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol (Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol Occidental), which includes the municipalities of Benahavís, Benalmádena, Casares, Estepona, Fuengirola, Istán, Manilva, Marbella, Mijas, Ojén, and Torremolinos. This structure indicates that Acosol is a publicly owned entity managed collectively by these municipalities.

Areas of Operation:

Acosol’s operations encompass the entire water cycle within its jurisdiction, including:

  • Water Supply: Ensuring the provision of potable water to residents and businesses.
    • Sanitation: Managing sewage and wastewater treatment processes.
    • Environmental Management: Collecting, transporting, treating, and reclaiming wastewater to preserve water resources.

Contractual Arrangements and Licensing:

As a public utility company, Acosol operates under mandates from the Commonwealth of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol. Its activities are regulated by Spanish laws governing public sector operations and environmental management. Specific licensing and contractual details are typically outlined in agreements between Acosol and the member municipalities, adhering to national and regional regulations.

Contract Renewability:

The duration and renewability of Acosol’s operational mandate are determined by the Commonwealth of Municipalities. These terms are subject to periodic review and renewal based on performance evaluations and evolving regional needs. The exact terms would be specified in the agreements between Acosol and the municipalities.

Remuneration and Payment for Services:

Acosol’s funding primarily comes from service fees charged to consumers for water supply and sanitation services. These fees are structured to cover operational costs and infrastructure investments. As a public entity, Acosol reinvests any surplus into service improvements and infrastructure development, rather than distributing profits.

HOW MUCH IS MY ACOSOL CANON?:

All Citizens are requested to look at their Hidralia Bill and tell us the amount of your Acosol Canon.

It is clearly shown at the bottom. If you can send a picture of it – even better!

It does not take AI to imagine what we are all paying and STILL WE HAVE SMELLS.

We are not asking for favours, we do not need to feel sorry for Acosol, we already pay a fortune through our bills.

December 2024 – Published by The Odours Campaign Team at EsteponaCitizensActionGroup

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