Six beaches in the Spanish holiday hotspot of Malaga have been closed to swimmers after E.coli was detected in the water, making them unsafe for swimming. The closures were implemented over the weekend following severe summer storms that caused flash floods in many parts of Spain.
Contamination linked to storms and sewage system
Local news outlet SUR, diario de Málaga, spoke to councillor Penélope Gómez, who confirmed that the contamination was linked to storms in the area. She explained: "The main sewage system, which runs parallel to the coast, is fed by combined sewers (stormwater and sewage flow through the same pipes), so if it rains, it's normal for some wastewater to be released into the sea. If we didn't allow it to flow, the entire city would be flooded with sewage."
Wet wipes exacerbate the problem
Penélope went on to say that the situation worsened due to people flushing wet wipes down the toilet: "This causes blockages at certain points and exacerbates the problem." According to the local news outlet, Malaga removes 2,300 tonnes of wet wipes from its sewers every year, at a cost of around €2 million (about £1.7 million). If not dealt with, these clogs can block important parts of the sewage system causing overflow, which then runs into the sea.
Affected beaches and response
Campo de Golf-San Julian, Guadalmar, and La Misericordia beaches in the west of the city were closed after Emasa - Empresa Municipal Aguas de Málaga - the city’s municipal water company found E.coli levels above the safe limit. This was followed by a ban on swimming in Sacaba and San Andres beaches, close to the centre, and El Palo beach, in an old fishing neighbourhood that’s extremely popular with tourists. Local police have reportedly been enforcing the rules and clearing swimmers out of the water.
In Benalmádena, half an hour south of Malaga, four beaches were closed to swimmers over the weekend after several people reported skin reactions. Las Gaviotas, Arroyo de la Miel, Los Melilleros, and Bil Bil beaches put up red flags to warn swimmers against entering the water on Sunday (August 16), and authorities have taken samples for testing.
Long-term plans and advice for holidaymakers
In the long-term, Malaga has plans to redesign its pipe networks, creating separate routes for rainwater and sewage, which could help prevent beach closures after major storms. These have become an issue in beach towns across the Costa del Sol, especially with the recent extreme weather.
Brits who are holidaying in the affected areas should ensure they follow local advice, ensuring there are green flags present in any areas where they wish to swim. Yellow flags usually mean that you can enter the water with caution, but should stay close to shore, while red flags can indicate dangerous swimming conditions such as strong currents as well as contamination.
