Torrevieja sets the price for use of the still to be opened toilets

The sophisticated self-cleaning public toilets that were installed on the seafront of Torrevieja are currently closed. The public price for the five units located in Plaza de Waldo Calero, Paseo de Juan Aparicio (Arturo Gómez Square), Playa del Cura, Plaza de Doña Perfecta Rodríguez, and Plaza de Encarnación Puchol, respectively, has been approved by the local governing board of Torrevieja City Council one year after their installation. The latter two are located in La Mata.

The cost of using the toilet is 0.50 euros for a maximum of fifteen minutes, as indicated by the toilet instructions on the door.

When Mayor Eduardo Dolón was publicly questioned about the implementation of the public price, which is to be incorporated into the tax ordinance and requires no further processing—the file scarcely occupies a page—he cited the absence of this approval as one of the reasons for delaying its implementation.

Additionally, the response from Council Spokesperson Federico Alarcón regarding the exact cause of the delay is consistently generic, regardless of the number of enquiries.

In spite of the fact that the project has been completed for nearly a year, the contracting company was required to receive the final certifications—the periodic payment—on Monday, 7th April.

In August 2023, Abala, a company affiliated with the Hozono Global Group, was awarded the project through a framework agreement for €318,000 (VAT included). This sum encompasses the acquisition of the units and their installation.

The water and electricity services required by the five lavatories are the subject of the unforeseen issues, despite the fact that a project was previously awarded to define the characteristics of each location. The facilities have been connected to electricity for a few weeks, and that is the sole update regarding their operation.

Access to each unit has been restricted by the contracting company due to the fact that, in certain instances, drinking water was already being used outside.

In reality, the incorporation of one of the restrooms on Vista Alegre Promenade was one of the project’s most significant errors, as the installation was practically unfeasible due to the underground car park beneath the pavement.