Over 300 swimming pools across Spain have been forced to close due to the so-called 'brown challenge' (reto marrón), a disturbing trend that involves defecating in public pools or releasing faeces from a bag hidden in a swimsuit. The act is recorded and posted online, with the aim of getting the pool shut down.
Health risks and legal response
The trend poses serious hygiene hazards. Faeces can transmit viruses such as norovirus, bacteria like Salmonella, and parasites such as Cryptosporidium, which is not killed by pool chlorine. Swimmers who accidentally ingest or inhale contaminated water may suffer stomach pains, vomiting, fever, and diarrhoea. Children are especially vulnerable as they swallow more water while swimming.
By law, pools must remain closed for 24 to 48 hours after faeces are found, during which they are cleaned, filtered, and tested multiple times. Some pools have had to be drained and refilled entirely, using thousands of litres of water. Small-town pools are often the most affected, as they are hotspots for family gatherings, leading to cancelled events and closures during hot weather.
Municipal crackdown
Around 50 municipalities have issued public alerts. Local councils are fining offenders between €1,000 and €3,000 and banning them from re-entering pools. In Picassent, the city council has escalated cases to court, fining several youngsters €5,000. Pools are also increasing police surveillance, though identifying perpetrators is difficult as pools cannot install cameras or demand ID on entry.
This is not a new phenomenon. Zamora has seen some pools close six times this year, and in 2025, more than 300 pools closed for the same reason.
