Case Study: Seaside Palm Beach, Gran Canaria

As with any hotel that is operational 12 months of the year, maintenance issues occur and can sometimes get to the point where repair is impossible and replacement is the only option.  This became the case with the irrigation system in the hotel, therefore the technical teams, together with sub-contractors Canaragua, redesigned a smarter and much more efficient system. 

What were the main objectives you wanted to achieve with the new system?

Our goal was to reduce water consumption and centralize irrigation control in one location. Now, the entire system is electrically managed, replacing the old setup where individual battery-powered controllers (using 9v batteries) handled each section.

This change benefits the environment by generating less battery waste and also improves energy efficiency. In the past, battery or underground timer failures sometimes left valves stuck open, wasting water, or closed, causing plants to dry out. With the new system, we avoid these problems while ensuring a more reliable and sustainable irrigation process.

We installed a combination of drip irrigation and sprinklers, using efficient sprinkler heads that consume less water than conventional ones.   The entire hotel was affected. We essentially created an irrigation “octopus,” with the central control system (the “head”) located in the generator area and the “legs” extending out to each sector of the hotel, including the exterior parking area.

What kind of preparation or preliminary work was needed (excavation, replanting, electrical or piping installation)?

We had to carry out a small design project based on the water needs of the planted species to calculate the appropriate pipe diameters.  Yes, it was essential to have the hotel closed to carry out a project of this scale.  We also did some minor civil works to prepare the area where all the main irrigation components are installed: the control unit, electric valves, fertilizer tank, fertilizer dispenser, etc.
Almost all of the work was done by an external company (Canaragua), which also hired a subcontractor for additional support. Our team only provided the general electrical connection.

What kind of maintenance does the new system require compared to the previous one?

We need to check that the electric valves close properly, this is done by inspecting the garden pathways. If we see excess water or puddles, we know that circuit needs to be checked.

Have you noticed any benefits since the upgrade (reduced water use, healthier plants, less workload for staff, etc.)?

Yes, we’ve seen several benefits, both environmental and financial. From the moment the new system was activated, we began saving water. On average, we’ve achieved reductions of 45% to 57%, depending on the season, as water use is naturally higher in summer than in winter. This translates to savings of between 500 and 600 cubic meters of water each month.

Considering that 1 cubic meter of water (including supply, sewer fees, and taxes) costs at least 1€, the financial and energy savings quickly add up. It’s a significant reduction in costs of around 7,000€ per year.

Additionally, the fertilisation process has been upgraded and is now managed automatically according to the annual program designed by Canaragua’s professional team. Throughout the year, they apply specific products tailored to each season’s needs, including salt dispersants, fertilisers, treatments to support root development, flowering boosters, and supplements to help plants during dry periods. As a result, the appearance and overall health of the gardens have improved significantly.

If another hotel were considering a similar upgrade, what advice would you give them?

They would essentially need to follow the same steps we did: start with a design, then install the centralized irrigation system. It helps prevent many pipe failures, as the pipes are only pressurized when watering is actually taking place.