Bathing curbs have been introduced on one of Tenerife’s most popular beaches after health chiefs discovered water was contaminated by a dangerous health bug
Travellers headed to a sunshine island have been issued with an urgent warning over health fears.
Restrictions have been posted by health chiefs which prevent them from swimming in the sea. And Brits jetting off to Tenerife will not be permitted to enter the water at a specific beach.
Playa Jardin, in Puerto de la Cruz, is among the most attractive stretches of sand and water on the Canary Islands. But visitors will not be allowed to go near the water over health concerns.
BirminghamLive reports that an ‘indefinite’ bathing ban has been imposed because of water contamination after wastewater pollution. The contaminated water was found after tests for E.coli.
Health chiefs have warned travellers it could be dangerous to swim in the sea, according to The Sun. And warning signs have been put up at the resort in multiple languages at all beach entrances.
People who ignore the alerts could risk catching ear, eye, skin or nasal infections. There is also the threat of gastrointestinal diseases which can result from the bug. The ban came into force on July 4 and could remain for an undisclosed period.
A public health report by the Government of the Canary Islands detailed the horrifying water quality. Puerto de la Cruz council said: “There is epidemiological evidence that this situation can cause gastrointestinal symptoms due to ingestion of water, as well as other types of conditions such as acute respiratory infections and infections of the ears, eyes, nasal passages and skin.
“This decision will be extended indefinitely and is a measure in response to the decline in water quality that has been occurring at least since 2016 in the Playa Jardín area and, above all, in this last year 2024.” Water quality at the beach has dropped from excellent to insufficient in just eight years.
Marco González, the mayor of Puerto, raised concerns that the situation could harm tourism in the Canary Islands and damage Tenerife’s reputation. But he said the situation could change ‘if all administrations prioritise the actions that are already not only planned but also have the necessary financing’.
A thorough investigation will be launched to find any potential causes of the issue. The detailed study will look at all pumping stations and improvements needed to the local treatment plant.
Thousands of people travel to Puerto de la Cruz, in the north of Tenerife, to catch a glimpse of its picturesque coast. Playa Jardin is thought to be one of the town’s prettiest beaches.
Tenerife introduced a new tourist tax after locals demanded a freeze on visitors in mass anti-tourism protests. The island’s council confirmed the new tax system will come into effect from January 1, 2025.
The tax will be applied to all famous nature sites which are protected – including the volcano Mount Teide, hamlets like Masca and several rural parks.