A repulsive social media trend dubbed the 'brown challenge' has led to the closure of more than 300 public swimming pools across Spain, turning them into health hazards. Participants film themselves defecating in pools or secretly releasing feces into the water via a bag, aiming to get the pools shut down.
Municipalities issue fines
Roughly 50 municipalities across Spain have issued public alerts, warning of fines ranging from €1,000 to €3,000 for those caught. In Picassent near Valencia, the city council has escalated cases to court and fined multiple people €5,000.
Some pools have resorted to police surveillance, as they cannot install cameras or ask for identification upon entry.
Pool closures and health risks
The city of Zamora in the northwest has closed some of its pools six times already this year. Affected pools must be emptied and remain closed for up to 48 hours while cleaning and filtering take place. Before reopening, the water must be tested several times to ensure safety. In some cases, pools may need to be drained, using thousands of litres of water at the pool's expense.
The 'prank' can transmit bacteria and viruses through the water, including norovirus, Salmonella, and the parasite Cryptosporidium, which is not killed by chlorine. Swallowing or inhaling infected water can lead to stomach pains, fever, and diarrhoea. Children are particularly vulnerable, as they tend to swallow more water while swimming.
