CONVENTION CENTER MASPALOMAS DESALINATION AND … Desalination accounts for 80 percent of the island’s total domestic needs, ... ARCHERY INTRODUCTION DIVING BAPTISM SNORKELLING MUNDO

IDA WORLD CONGRESS ON DESALINATION AND WATER REUSECONVENTION CENTER MASPALOMAS

SPAIN

OCTOBER

21 | 26 | 2007

IDA GRAN CANARIA 2007

José Manuel Soria López Presidente del Cabildo de Gran Canaria

The history of Gran Canaria tells of enchanted places

where water and forests made up a symphony of colors

and provided a paradise for living. More than 300 life

forms sprung up in the middle of the island. Thanks to

those water sources – the ravines were actually rivers

– permanent fonts in the island’s vast summit, which,

through their splendor, extended life throughout the wild

Dorames forest.

Five centuries have passed and our generation today

must come up with a commitment for Gran Canaria to

conserve and recycle our natural resources so that we can

show the island’s future generations how to protect the

environment and instill a culture of awareness of what this

island once was. It no doubt has to be a task of different

generations, but ours should be the one dedicated to set

precedents and spread the message for those who come

after us that they should also follow our path in pushing

for recycling.

Although it may be reiterated, this is the occasion that is

especially appropriate to underscore the close relationship

between forest, life and water. Our island presents a

special distinguishable case concerning this relationship.

With most of our underground resources drying up, which

could have had an immediate effect on the life forms

and the biodiversity, we made the decision years ago to

increase our water supplies through desalination.

The technologies involved in desalination have been in

use with great success and for more than 30 years are

being efficiently improved. Although for many years they

were only put to use in isolated cases, today they cover

more than 50 percent of our needs. Their effects on water

bearing supplies and biodiversity have provided us with

important and positive consequences.

WHY IDA 2007 IN GRAN CANARIA to hold the International Desalination Congress in 2007

After successful congresses in Singapore (2005), the

Bahamas (2003), Bahrain (2001) and San Diego (1999),

IDA decided to hold its International Desalination Con-

gress in 2007 on the Island of Gran Canaria with good

reason. If people ask why this island, in the middle of

the Atlantic Ocean, in front of the Sahara Desert and

midway between America and Africa, you can say that

Gran Canaria was the site where Spain began its first

desalination project more than 35 years ago. This is also

where most of the country’s advances in the desalina-

tion industry have taken place. What makes the island

interesting for technicians to visit, as well as others, is

that Gran Canaria, the most populated of the Canary

Islands, relies heavily on desalination. With 1,555 squa-

re kilometers and 850.000 inhabitants, desalination has

given the island a high degree of development. It can

be considered as a testing ground where all new desali-

nation technologies have been introduced and improved

over the last 35 years. And because of the lack of power

resources, only the most efficient technologies can survi-

ve. In such a small and hilly territory, with over 60 high

dams and 1,700 deep wells, desalination has become the

most important potable water resource in the island, ac-

counting for 40 percent of the total supplies for domes-

tic, industrial and agricultural uses. Gran Canaria, with a

capacity to desalinate 150,000 m3/day of seawater, has

lead Spain in this sector since 1970 when the first large

desalination plant was built. Advanced technology that

is being used around the world today has always been

applied here first. Some milestones in RO desalination

technology that can be mentioned are:

• First RO brackish water desalination plant for the agri-

culture (1976)

• First RO desalination racks fitted with energy recovery

devices or Francis turbines (1990)

• Largest desalination plant in the world fitted with spiral

wound membranes (1990)

• Two manufacturers of pressure exchangers systems for

energy recovery in the islands (1999)

Desalination accounts for 80 percent of the island’s total

domestic needs, including not only supplying potable

water for the entire population but also for the 3 million

of tourists each year.

The capital with over 400,000 inhabitants gets 95 per-

cent its water supplies from desalination. Agriculture,

with over 1,300 banana plantations and 1,200 green-

houses, is highly dependent of desalinated water where

not only quantity but also quality must be considered.

More than 150 small brackish desalination plants are su-GRAN CANARIA SPAIN 2007


using, such as RO, distillation, EDR, and modern mem-

branes tertiary treatments. We would like to share our

knowledge and experiences in the way we operate our

systems, some under the most stringent conditions. We

would also like to discuss how so many countries around

the world, many of them not more than 100 miles away

from the islands, can overcome the scarcity of their

water resources by implementing new technologies,

and how to make citizens more aware of the difficulties

and high costs involved in producing water and convince

them that it worth paying for it.

Local Organizing Committee IDA

Gran Canaria 2007

pplying the irrigational needs of farmers. Tourism is fully

dependent on desalination. Where climate offers one of

the best opportunities worldwide, with average annual

temperatures fluctuating between 18 and 25 degrees

centigrade, desalination has allowed the tourist industry

to grow from zero to becoming the most important sec-

tor in the island. The industry has never suffered becau-

se of lack of water. Nevertheless, there are big concerns

about the efficient use of water which means not only

the need to generate new resources through desalina-

tion, but also to find ways to recycle as much waste as

possible. In this way all agriculture is drip irrigated with

more than 90 percent efficiency. This means the use of

regenerated water is produced in the main wastewater

treatment plants of the island.

Tertiary treatments with UF and MF membranes have

also been implemented for the first time in Spain.

Through pipelines this water is used for landscaping, golf

courses and also on a larger scale in agriculture.

For all these reasons Gran Canaria offers the technical

visitor numerous opportunities to visit our desalination

plants and to study the kinds of technologies we are

2007



GRAN CANARIA, OCTOBER 2007

5

GRAN CANARIA ISLAND OF MEETINGS

The natural landscape, mixed with the mildness of

the island’s climate, offers unlimited possibilities for

recreation making Gran Canaria an ideal place to organize

events. Gran Canaria is blessed with a wealth of natural

resources, most notably the 60 kilometers of beaches,

ranging from the impressive Maspalomas beach, with

its oasis of sand dunes right next to the sea, to the

concealed and unspoiled Güigüi beach, and the more

lively Las Canteras beach right in the capital. The beauty

of its landscapes, full of contrasts due to its volcanic

origin, offers unique scenarios that are completed by 32

protected areas and eight natural reserves.

The island’s mild climate and the absence of extreme

temperature variations make it possible to practice

practically any type of outdoor sports activity during any

time of the year.

COSMOPOLITAN VOCATION

Island culture is marked by events and international

festivals held throughout year. One that is worth pointing

out is The Canary Island Classical Music Festival, which

takes place during the months of January and February

and attracts the most important classical music talent

from around the world. The island also hosts the Opera

Festival, the Zarzuela Festival, Las Palmas de Gran

Canaria Theatre and Dance Festival, the International

IDA WORLD CONGRESS ON DESALINATION AND WATER REUSE

CONVENTION CENTER MASPALOMAS

GRAN CANARIA

SPAIN

OCTOBER

21 | 26 | 2007



6

ISLAS CANARIAS CANARY ISLANDS

GRAN CANARIACosta Meloneras Maspalomas

HOSPITAL

HOTEL CENTRO COMERCIAL

ZONA VERDE

Jazz Festival and the International Cinema Festival of

Las Palmas. You can admire Gran Canaria’s aboriginal

past by touring the numerous archaeological sites. Its

interesting architectural heritage filled with centuries of

history can be discovered by walking in the villages or

towns. Museums show their history, and the art centers

exhibit their artists’ works, including main trends in

universal art. The island’s culture is also revealed

through its rich natural patrimony, by its more than one

hundred endemic species, its traditional festivals, and

its varied and special gastronomy, rich in tastes and

flavored through a bouquet wines.

Gran Canaria also boasts an extensive network of

shopping areas, complete with shops that offer

traditional local crafts. One of the biggest attractions of

island shopping is undeniably; the low duties that are

applied to certain imported goods, which means that

one can purchase products at prices that are between 10

and 30 percent lower than the rest of the country. Gran

Canaria has an extensive program of events throughout

the year, giving the island status as a meeting place for

many specialists and intellectuals who hold conferences

in these outstanding surroundings.

Hotels: Gran Canaria offers a large selection of hotels.

There are 153,965 hotel beds available with 28,162 of

them in four-star and five–star hotels.



7

MASPALOMAS

There are 17 kilometers of coastline with dunes, such as

those that those that surround Maspalomas and Oasis,

an area of palms and wetlands where migratory birds

come to flock. Costa Meloneras is a newly developed

holiday destination with attractive hotels and a beautiful

promenade to the west of the Maspalomas lighthouse.

Maspalomas lies on the southernmost tip of Grand

Canary. At first glance, Maspalomas appears to be a

palm-ringed oasis with tropical vegetation on the edge of

the sand dunes. It is a favored holiday resort with some

very comfortable hotels and bungalows. The 18-hole

Maspalomas Golf course is well known among golfers

worldwide and the wonderful location of the course is

coveted. The 18-hole golf course at Salobre, built in

2000, is not far away either. There are many shopping

opportunities and a great deal of entertainment spots

available offering a great variety of things to do as well

as many facilities to practice sports. The 6-kilometer long

fine, sandy beach stretches from Maspalomas to Playa

del Inglés. The sand dunes cover some 400 hectares

and can only be visited on foot or by camel, while the

65-metre high Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse stands on

the coast near the Oasis. This whole area has a highly

developed tourist infrastructure, which gives visitors a

wide choice of recreational activities and entertainment.

There are two Aquatic Theme Parks, a Western Town

and the lush, tropical Palmitos Park, where exotic birds

and flowers contrast wonderfully with the nearby empty

dunes, as well as a fascinating Aboriginal Theme Park.



8

Singular settings: Gran Canaria offers a wide range of possibilities, including historical and

modern buildings for those special social events.

An environment full of contrasts: Recreational pleasures are far from limited. From the

Dunes of Maspalomas and the cliffs on the west coast, you can also find leafy pines groves in

the center of the island. Golf, sea sports, hiking and the possibility of relaxing in one of the

health centers can all be done in summer as well as in winter.

History and culture: Gran Canaria is synonymous with the blending of cultures. The island

has a long legacy as a port for travelers. It is a society that has been opened to everyone that

arrives at its shores from beyond the seas. It has an extremely valuable archaeological, artistic,

architectural and ethnographic heritage complete with extensive cultural programs throughout

the year.

Gastronomy: It has a rich and varied meat, sea, fruit and vegetable products, such as

different fish, cheeses, gofio, mojo, tropical fruits, etc. The traditional Canarian cuisine can

be fared in the wide range of restaurants that specialize in local gastronomic pleasure with

creativity and style.

There are more than one hundred companies involved in business tourism, with many years

of experienced and supported by the best professionals of the sector who can guarantee the

success of your event.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

As a complement to the

excursion programme

and inside the social

programme, the following

activities can be included:

• YACHT EXCURSION

• ADVENTURE SPORTS: CLIMBING INTRODUCTION MOUNTAIN BIKE KAYAK EQUESTRIAN EXCURSION HIKING ARCHERY INTRODUCTION DIVING BAPTISM SNORKELLING

MUNDO ABORIGEN (ABORIGINAL WORLD)

CULTURAL VISITS

CAMEL RIDE

TRAVEL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

WILD WEST NIGHT

JEEP SAFARI



9

5

1 Campo de Golf Maspalomas -- An exceptional par-73 course, it boasts magnificent facilities for playing golf. Located in the Maspalomas resort of Gran Canaria island, the course is surrounded by a landscape of dunes, palm trees and beaches. It was designed by Mackenzie Rose and first opened in 1968. It features an innovative two-storey driving range with range beyond 300 meters. It also includes a putting and pitching green, golf cart rental services

and an excellent restaurant and snack bar in the club house.

2 Salobre Golf & Resort -- Two golf courses, both with 36 holes, the courses have a total range of 6,145 meters or about 6.760 yards. This is a par-71, divided in four par-5 holes, nine par-4 holes and five par-3 holes. The course is integrated in a very typical environment in the south of the island. There are elevated greens that have some spectacular views of the sea and mountains. The contrast from the green of the golf course with the desert environment is also breath-taking. Thanks to its design, the Resort not only promises a challenge but a good time for players at any level.

3 Real Club de Golf – Bandama Real Club de Golf (Par 71) is located in Bandama, 15 minutes away from the island’s capital, Las Palmas. Founded in 1891, it is Spain’s oldest golf club. Mackenzie Ross, who designed the course in Maspalomas, also came up with a challenging 18-hole course here. During weekends and holidays, the course is reserved for members only.

4 El Cortijo – Club de Campo Halfway to the airport, EL CORTIJO CLUB DE CAMPO is located near the city of Telde and only 6.4 kilometers from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the motorway GC-1. The country club concept gives El Cortijo a family club flavor by offering different activities such as golf, tennis, horseback riding and swimming. The club is built over 60 hectares of land.

5 Meloneras Golf, the first golf course situated directly at the seaside.MELONERAS GOLF is an exclusive course situated in the tourist resort of Meloneras coast in the south of Gran Canaria where golf fans can enjoy a real oasis of palm trees, lakes and ponds with a privileged situation and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. This new sports centre with 18 holes and par 71 is especially outstanding due to its unique location with several holes beside the sea. Designed by Ron Kirby from the U.S., has got an extension of 520.000 square metres. It has been configured as a highly technical sports centre making it ideal for the organisation of great international tournaments and championships. Its design allows golf players with different playing levels to enjoy playing a round on it. The golf course has got four starting tees per hole, making it very attractive for professional

players as well as amateurs.

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CONVENTION CENTER MASPALOMAS

Location:

Maspalomas Conference Center is

located in one of the most important

tourist areas of south of the island,

just few meters away from the Dunes

natural reserve.

Description:

The Convention Center of Maspalomas is a multifunctional

building with a surface area of 14,000 square meters. It

has 24 conference halls, comprising a total area of 9,264

square meters. It is worth pointing out the “Maspalomas”

Big Hall. Its particular layout allows access to the hall

from different parts of the building and it can be adapted

to any particular need due to electronic screens and mo-

bile scenarios.

Technical Services:

The avant-garde technology of the building guarantees

the success of any event: advanced video conference

systems, simultaneous interpretation, interactive parti-

cipation, computerized accreditation, in addition to the

latest generation of digital screens and sound systems,

among other features. It also has an Information Center

which provides any kind of information related to the

building or to the event that is going on.

General Services:

The building has a Business Center, VIP Room,

press room and information modules. A staff of

professionals will serve you at the cafeteria and

restaurant, which is located on an expansive sun-

lit terrace, an ideal place for celebrating lunches

and formal dinners while enjoying the climate

and the charms of this beautiful area of Gran

Canaria.



11

HOTELS IN THE SOUTH OF GRAN CANARIA.

MASPALOMASMaspalomas offers a big selection of hotels where you

can combine relaxation with work meetings. Business

conventions, seminars, national and international con-

gresses can be held in any numerous hotels that are

equipped for these type of events. With the most up-to-

date infrastructure and accommodation to please visitors

from anywhere in the world, these hotels are located in

the south of the island. Four-star and five–star hotels

with available conference centers for any event are de-

tailed below.

GRAN HOTEL VILLA DEL CONDE *****This hotel is located in the southern part of the island

right on the coast, 800 meters away from the Maspalo-

mas beach and 300 meters from the Meloneras beach.

The hotel style reflects the traditional Canarian archi-

tecture, highlighted by the impressing reception lobby,

which was adapted from one of the most ancient and

traditional Gran Canarian churches. There is are 34,000

square meters of tropical gardens.

H10 PLAYA MELONERAS PALACE *****The hotel is situated on Meloneras beach, giving fantas-

tic views of the coast. It has 350 rooms, two large swim-

ming pools with waterfalls and wide landscape areas,

three restaurants, including an à la carte service, several

bars and a nightclub.

GRAN HOTEL COSTA MELONERAS ****Located in the southern part of Gran Canaria, directly in

front of the ocean, this hotel is highlighted by its traditio-

nal Canarian architecture, providing a unique confluence

of water, light and color. The hotel offers luxurious rooms

decorated with fine woods and complete facilities and

equipment for meetings, in addition to its first-class

food. The “Gran Spa Corallium Costa Meloneras” is one

of the biggest in Europe.

RIU GRAND PALACE MASPALOMAS OASIS *****The hotel is located on Maspalomas beach smack in

the center of a tropical area which covers much of the

south of Gran Canaria. The Hotel Riu Maspalomas is

unique because of its location and great facilities. The

hotel offers events organizer first class service in one

of the most impressive landscapes of Gran Canaria.

Gran Hotel Villa del Conde

Riu Grand PalaceMaspalomas Oasis

Gran HotelCosta Meloneras

10H Playa Meloneras Palace

Documents

CONVENTION CENTER MASPALOMAS DESALINATION AND … Desalination accounts for 80 percent of the island’s total domestic needs, ... ARCHERY INTRODUCTION DIVING BAPTISM SNORKELLING MUNDO