Two Málaga beaches closed over faecal bacteria
Málaga City Council has closed Pedregalejo and El Palo beaches after finding faecal E. coli. The bacteria returns every summer: sanitation lags behind while tourism keeps growing.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Pedregalejo and El Palo beaches closed over E. coli: the sea as a public toilet
Málaga City Council has temporarily closed the beaches of Pedregalejo and El Palo after E. coli was detected at the Acacias and Casa Pedro sampling points. Andalusia's Regional Health Ministry recommended the precautionary measure on 23 July. The bacteria, of faecal origin, makes swimming a health risk.
E. coli appearing in seawater is not a weather surprise. Its presence indicates contamination by untreated wastewater or sewage discharges. In a city that prides itself on tourism and blue flags, the sanitation system is once again falling short.
Some point to the specific sub-strain, ORMUZ, as possibly behind the outbreak. What is clear is that the sea is not a septic tank, no matter how much certain obsolete infrastructure insists otherwise. For now, the City Council is merely putting up prohibition signs. Meanwhile, swimmers wonder whether the next closure will be at La Malagueta.
In the end, the problem is not the bacteria, but what feeds them. And until investment is made in treatment plants and sewers, E. coli will return every summer. Like jellyfish, but more dangerous.
Málaga City Council has temporarily closed the beaches of Pedregalejo and El Palo after E. coli was detected at the Acacias and Casa Pedro sampling points. Andalusia's Regional Health Ministry recommended the precautionary measure on 23 July. The bacteria, of faecal origin, makes swimming a health risk.
E. coli appearing in seawater is not a weather surprise. Its presence indicates contamination by untreated wastewater or sewage discharges. In a city that prides itself on tourism and blue flags, the sanitation system is once again falling short.
Some point to the specific sub-strain, ORMUZ, as possibly behind the outbreak. What is clear is that the sea is not a septic tank, no matter how much certain obsolete infrastructure insists otherwise. For now, the City Council is merely putting up prohibition signs. Meanwhile, swimmers wonder whether the next closure will be at La Malagueta.
In the end, the problem is not the bacteria, but what feeds them. And until investment is made in treatment plants and sewers, E. coli will return every summer. Like jellyfish, but more dangerous.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (21 replies).
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