tourism

Playa Jardín faces potential closure throughout summer due to contamination concerns

Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz faces a potential closure throughout the summer due to persistent E. coli contamination, prompting an indefinite swimming ban by local authorities.

The popular tourist destination Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz is under threat of remaining closed throughout the entire summer season. This comes after the local council, adhering to a directive from the General Directorate of Public Health issued on July 3, instituted an indefinite ban on swimming along the beach.


The decision was precipitated by the detection of dangerous levels of Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, a bacterium capable of causing severe health issues such as gastrointestinal distress, respiratory infections, and various skin and eye conditions.

The Port Authority has described the closure as “indefinite” and contingent on the ongoing assessment of water quality, which currently shows no signs of immediate improvement. This extended closure is driven by a concerning upward trend in pollution levels, not merely isolated test results.

Playa Jardín Faces Potential Closure Throughout Summer Due to Contamination Concerns

Local officials are now collaborating with environmental experts to pinpoint the exact causes of the contamination, which they suspect include a compromised sewer outfall and an overwhelmed regional wastewater treatment facility that services not only Puerto de la Cruz but also the neighboring municipalities of Los Realejos and La Orotava.

Despite the alarming levels at Playa Jardín, other coastal areas continue to be monitored, with places like San Telmo beach reporting satisfactory conditions, maintaining good water quality for the past two years without any incidents. This contrasting situation underscores the localized nature of the problem affecting Playa Jardín.

Amidst this environmental crisis, documentary filmmaker Felipe Ravina has been vocal about his criticism of the local authorities’ response to the pollution. Ravina, a staunch advocate for marine conservation, has pointed out the systemic issues related to sewage management in the region. He accuses the authorities of negligence, noting that it took them two weeks from the initial detection of the contamination to enact a beach closure. This delay, he argues, potentially exposed thousands of beachgoers to harmful bacteria.

Playa Jardín Faces Potential Closure Throughout Summer Due to Contamination Concerns

Ravina also stresses the broader implications of such pollution events, which extend beyond immediate health concerns to encompass long-term ecological damage. The continuous discharge of untreated wastewater into the ocean is not only harmful to marine life but also affects the coastal vegetation such as algae and sebadales, and can indirectly impact humans through the consumption of contaminated seafood.

The current situation at Playa Jardín has sparked a wider debate on the infrastructure and regulatory oversight necessary to protect such vital tourist spots. The incident has galvanized public awareness and concern, leading to discussions about potential demonstrations and activism.

Playa Jardín Faces Potential Closure Throughout Summer Due to Contamination Concerns

Ravina has mentioned plans for a significant protest movement post-summer, aimed at advocating for a revised tourism model that prioritizes environmental sustainability. This planned protest aims to rally the Canary Islanders to push for urgent reforms in tourism practices and infrastructure development to safeguard their natural resources.

As the community awaits further updates, the closure of Playa Jardín serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing environmental and public health risks in popular tourist destinations.


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