Canary Islands: Bathing pleasure in danger from contaminated water!

Canary Islands: Bathing pleasure in danger from contaminated water!

Playa Jardín, Puerto de la Cruz, Spanien - The joy of the beaches of the Canary Islands could become cloudy with the current wastewater scandal. The Canarian government has finally admitted that there are huge problems in the sewage sector. Environmental and Energy Minister Mariano Hernández Zapata admitted that there was decades of inactivity in modernizing the infrastructure and the support of the municipalities. Particularly alarming: Several beaches are contaminated with bacteria, which for the many tourists who strive for the sun and the sea harbors health risks. Some want to swim while the others wonder if they shouldn't stay in the hotel complex.

The extent of pollution is terrifying. According to the latest data, around 50 million liters of contaminated water from Tenerife flow into the sea every day. Of 351 points where dirty water gets directly into the sea, 240 are illegal. Estimated 69 percent of these illegal introductory points are under state control. Tenerife has most of the illegal wastewater instructions of all Canary Islands, which not only worry about tourists, but also the environmentalists.

increased health risks for bathers

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

However, the warnings are not only locally. The environmental program "Banderas Negras 2025" has published its annual report, in which 48 sections of coastal sections in Spain were recognized as a bizarre "black flags". Including beaches in Tenerife, which are criticized due to pollution and inadequate management. Problems such as illegal privatizations, wastewater instructions and a significant accumulation of microplastics are denounced.

clearer measures and help required

The data is clear: in 2025, twelve beaches and natural pools in Tenerife received the coveted “blue flag” for extraordinary water quality. Nevertheless, there is worry that such positive awards are in the shadow of the wastewater problem, which hovers over tourism like a sword of Damocles. Jesús Ramos from the Agrupación Socialista Gomera calls for more comprehensive measures to remedy damage to save the health resorts and their attractiveness.

With regard to the current circumstances, it is crucial that both tourists and locals are well informed. The water investigations are available online and the values ​​of E.Coli and Enterococci are regularly published by the Spanish Ministry of Health. For everyone who wants to relax on the beaches, a look at the current water quality data could prove as a clever decision.

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