The Granadilla de Abona Town Hall have raised a red flag and announced the temporary closure of El Médano’s central beach on the island of Tenerife on Tuesday, after water tests detected an illegal level of faecal bacteria (enterococci).
As a result, a temporary ban on swimming has been implemented.
While previous water quality tests in recent weeks indicated good conditions, the latest results show a slight exceedance of the permitted bacteria levels.
The council has taken to reassure the public that the levels were “just over” the threshold.
The beach will remain off limits until re-analysis tests confirm that the water is safe for swimming, at which point the beach will be reopened.
To ensure the safety of beachgoers, the town hall has initiated a re-analysis in coordination with a specialised laboratory.
In the meantime, they urge visitors to adhere to the guidelines provided by the beach safety and rescue teams.
Several of the Canary Island’s beaches have had sewage contamination problems. Faecal pollution has been a recurring issue for Playa Jardin. El Medano and La Pinta in the south have also both faced multiple closures this summer due to high levels of pathogens in the water.
A notable instance occurred at Las Teresitas, which saw a closure in early July due to significant contamination levels.
In Lanzarote, Playa Blanca in Yaiza frequently reports high levels of faecal bacteria. Fuerteventura has issues near the desalination plant at Puertito de la Cruz (Pájara) and the underwater discharge point at Gran Tarajal.
Sewage pollution is one of the most pressing issues for the islands, with illegal discharges forcing authorities to act to protect swimmers. The islands’ coastlines are dotted with problematic land-to-sea sewage discharge points, 394 in total, of which 278 are illegal, according to a map published by Canarian Weekly in July.
Marine biologist and educator Pablo Martin highlighted the issue in an Instagram video, in which he criticised the sewage pipes that discharge the waste, ironically calling them “a prime example of modern development in the 21st-century”.
Martin mentioned that the European Union has repeatedly reprimanded Spain for this issue, imposing hefty fines in 2019, with the Canary Islands being significant contributors to the problem.
He said: “This is a public health issue, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses that endanger both human and marine life. Have you ever experienced gastroenteritis after a day at the beach?”
However, the archipelago is generally known for having clean beaches and excellent water quality, with many having been awarded blue flags, a European eco-label that indicates the water meets environmental standards.
