The waters off a popular Spanish resort may be contaminated with waste water and harbour harmful toxins, beachgoers have been warned.
According to the latest report from Andalucia’s regional government, the waters off the Zahara de los Atunes beach in Barbate, Cadiz province, contain sewage that could be potentially harmful, The Olive Press reports.
Meanwhile, analysis carried out at the Presa de la Colada reservoir in Cordoba detected the presence of different types of cyanobacterias, photosynthetic microscopic organisms that can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals.
The region’s Health and Consumer Department examined samples from 380 different points in 276 coastal locations across Andalusia.
It also carried out tests in 24 inland bodies of water, and publishes a report every two weeks, according to the outlet.
According to a statement from the department, the tests evaluate factors such as the water’s transparency, colour, mineral oils and plastic waste.
However, just the two areas mentioned contained waters of concern, with the rest found to be within the established quality limits.
A total of 78 bathing areas in Almeria, 81 in Cadiz, 30 in Granada, and 85 in Malaga are also included in the regular testing.
Last month, a Spanish environmental campaign group warned holidaymakers about visiting nearly 50 “black flag” beaches in the country.
The organisation named and shamed seaside spots experiencing various problems, including marine waste, chemical pollution, marine waste, and sewage discharges, The Sun reported.
A spokesman for Ecologists in Action, a confederation of 300 ecological groups, said: “One of the biggest problems we are facing is the ‘touristification’ and urbanisation of our coast and this is a problem that especially affects the Canary Islands.”
The organisation claimed its political leaders were putting business interests ahead of the local population, saying: “The ecological footprint of the Canary Islands corresponds to that of a territory 27 times larger.
“In other words we need a territory 27 times larger to satisfy all the demands of the economic model and development of the archipelago.”
Offering a horrific assessment of the most popular of the eight islands with British holidaymakers, the group alleged: “In Tenerife 57 million litres of wastewater are discharged directly into the sea every day, equivalent to 17 Olympics swimming pools of polluted water.”
The Spanish government has been approached for comment.