Canary Islands: Bathing fun at risk from contaminated water!

Canary Islands: Bathing fun at risk from contaminated water!

The joy on the beaches of the Canary Islands could be clouded by the current sewage scandal. The Canary Islands government has finally admitted that there are huge problems in the wastewater sector. Environment and Energy Minister Mariano Hernández Zapata admitted there had been decades of inaction on modernizing infrastructure and supporting municipalities. Particularly alarming: several beaches are contaminated with bacteria, posing health risks to the many tourists seeking sun and sea. Some want to swim, while others wonder whether they should stay in the hotel complex.

The extent of environmental pollution is frightening. According to the latest data, around 50 million liters of contaminated water from Tenerife flow into the sea every day. Of the 351 points where dirty water flows directly into the sea, 240 are illegal. An estimated 69 percent of these illegal discharge sites are under state control. Tenerife has the most illegal wastewater discharges of all the Canary Islands, something that not only worries tourists but also environmentalists.

Increased health risks for bathers

In addition, it was announced that some beaches, such as Playa Jardín, were temporarily closed - for almost a whole year! These closures are not the only measures taken: in order to improve water quality, the regional government has presented plans to map all discharge points and intensify their monitoring by drones and divers. In addition, a 30-year-old regulation is to be revised in order to provide municipalities with better support with wastewater problems.

However, the warnings are not just local. The environmental program “Banderas Negras 2025” has published its annual report, in which 48 stretches of coastline in Spain were marked as bizarrely “black flagged”. These include beaches in Tenerife, which have come under fire for pollution and inadequate management. Problems such as illegal privatization, wastewater discharges and significant accumulation of microplastics are denounced.

Clearer measures and help required

The data is clear: in 2025, twelve beaches and natural pools on Tenerife received the coveted “Blue Flag” for exceptional water quality. However, there remains concern that such positive awards are overshadowed by the wastewater problem that hangs over tourism like the sword of Damocles. Jesús Ramos from Agrupación Socialista Gomera calls for more comprehensive damage repair measures to save the spa towns and their attractiveness.

Given the current circumstances, it is crucial that both tourists and locals are well informed. The water tests are available online and the E.coli and enterococci levels are regularly published by the Spanish Ministry of Health. For those looking to relax on the beaches, taking a look at current water quality data could prove to be a wise decision.

While the Canary Islands are still considered a popular holiday paradise, the situation shows that it is high time to focus on the clean future of the beaches. After all, the sea is not just an attraction - it is also an important part of our ecosystem.