Nerja sewage plant 'could cost double'

EXPERTS predict that the Nerja sewage plant will cost double the amount initially estimated.

After waiting more than 40 years, it appears that the plans for the sewage plant will soon go ahead.

However, the companies which are bidding to be awarded the project are not optimistic about it.

They say that the land where the sewage plant is due to be built will be very hard to work on.

They also claim that building a sewage plant to treat 25,000m3 of sewage water per day for a population of more than 100,000 with just €40.6 million is “almost impossible”.

Projects for the sewage plant will be received until Monday.

Residents in the area have been worried about the smells and noise the plant may cause so near to their homes, despite the project stipulating that the plant will be enclosed.

Many people believe the obvious location for the plant would have been El Playazo area, which would have required fewer pumping stations and engines.

Instead, the plant is planned for the higher part of the town, meaning that all sewage water will have to be pumped upwards.

In any case, the experts do not expect the work to start until mid-2013 and say the final cost will be close to €80 million.