This summer is proving especially difficult for those wanting to swim on Spain's coasts. From the Canary Islands to the Valencian Community, including Andalusia and Galicia, dozens of beaches have had to close to swimmers or advise against entering the water due to high levels of fecal bacteria . The main cause is the presence of Escherichia coli in concentrations exceeding the limits set by European regulations, which has led local councils to activate safety protocols and raise the red flag.
These incidents are neither isolated nor accidental. Behind these closures lie structural problems that have been denounced for years: untreated sewage discharges , outdated sanitation networks, and tourist pressure that in many areas exceeds the region's capacity. The health of beachgoers is at the heart of the debate , while authorities seek solutions to a phenomenon that is repeated at various points along the coast.
The Canary Islands: a structural public health problem
The Canary Islands archipelago is undoubtedly one of the most affected areas. In Tenerife, Leocadio Machado beach in El Médano was closed in early July after 800 CFU of E. coli were detected per 100 ml of water, well above the 250 required by the European directive to consider it excellent. The business association of environmental consultants (AECCM) has been warning for months that swimming in the Canary Islands poses a health risk , and reports that many bathers end up in emergency rooms with infections caused by fecal bacteria.
The situation is not limited to Tenerife. In Lanzarote, the capital's main beach was closed for six months, and in Gran Canaria, El Confital beach has been subject to temporary bans for over eight years. Furthermore, the Court of Justice of the European Union has condemned Spain for failing to adequately treat wastewater in twelve locations in Tenerife. The European ruling highlights the lack of investment in sanitation infrastructure, while the islands continue to receive mass tourism.
The residents are experiencing this with frustration. Alba Domínguez, from El Sauzal, says that before choosing a beach, she checks for pollution warnings and avoids areas that have been closed. Professor Yurena González, from the University of La Laguna, explains that the sea has a strong sense of identity in the Canary Islands , and losing the ability to swim safely generates a feeling of mourning among the islanders.
Malaga: sporadic closures and uncertain causes
On the Andalusian coast, the alert came in mid-July in Málaga. The beaches of Pedregalejo and El Palo flew red flags after the Andalusian Regional Government detected E. coli levels above the permitted limit at the Acacias and Casa Pedro sampling points. The tests showed 560 CFU, slightly above the legal limit of 500. The City Council activated the preventative closure protocol and launched an investigation to determine the source.
Initial hypotheses rule out a sewage spill, as concentrations in such cases are usually much higher. Technicians suggest the contamination may have been caused by a large influx of bathers during the El Palo fair weekend, combined with the poor water circulation in those coves. If so, it would be a case of massive human contamination rather than a failure in the sanitation system.
The board has taken new samples and it is hoped that the bathing area can reopen in the coming days if the results return to normal. In the meantime, lifeguards are keeping the red flag up and reminding tourists that swimming is prohibited until further notice.
Galicia: the beaches of the Cíes Islands also affected
In the north, Galicia is not spared. The Galician Ministry of Health has advised against swimming at two of the most iconic beaches in the Atlantic Islands National Park: Rodas, on the Cíes Islands, and Figueiras. Analyses by the Public Health Laboratory detected microbiological contamination, although the exact levels were not specified. The measure is temporary and will be reviewed with further analyses , but it has surprised visitors who were expecting to enjoy crystal-clear waters.
A few days earlier, the Baiona Town Council had already banned swimming at A Ladeira and Santa Marta beaches for the same reason. There, the restriction was lifted after 72 hours, once it was confirmed that the water quality had improved. In the case of the Cíes Islands, the possibility that a spill from a ship caused the bacterial spike is being considered, although this is still under investigation.
Galician beaches generally enjoy good water quality, but incidents like this highlight the vulnerability of the coastline to isolated spills. Local councils insist that public health is the priority and that the restriction will not be lifted until water quality parameters are safe.
Valencia: breakage of a collector in El Puig and Pobla de Farnals
In the Valencian Community, the beaches of El Puig de Santa Maria and La Pobla de Farnals have also had to close to swimmers due to a break in a sewage main. The break, located in a sewer line belonging to EPSAR (the local water and sanitation company) in the municipality of La Pobla de Farnals, caused a sewage spill that deteriorated the water quality. Technicians are working against the clock to repair the infrastructure , while the local councils are maintaining the red flag warning.
The mayor of El Puig, Marc Oriola, explained that the reopening depends on the completion of the repairs and favorable test results. In La Pobla de Farnals, the north beach is the most affected, while the south area, more sheltered by the port, has suffered less damage. The break has also affected local businesses , such as beach bars, which have had to close temporarily because bathers cannot access the water.
The situation in Valencia is a clear example of how the deterioration of sanitation infrastructure can have direct consequences for tourism and the local economy. Local councils are demanding urgent investment to renew pipes that, in some sections, have gone decades without proper maintenance.
Beach closures due to fecal contamination have become commonplace this summer on various Spanish coasts. The causes are varied: from chronic sewage spills in the Canary Islands to occasional breakdowns in Valencia or massive concentrations of bathers in Málaga. The lack of investment in sanitation and the pressure of tourism are two sides of the same coin, affecting both public health and the image of destinations that depend on tourism. While authorities search for long-term solutions, beachgoers are forced to look with distrust at a sea that, paradoxically, should be synonymous with well-being and leisure.
