Playa Jardín, one of the most popular beaches for holidaymakers in the north of Tenerife, has now been closed for two months due to faecal contamination from a broken underwater sewage pipe. The delay in repairs has prompted the launch of environmental assessments both on land and at sea to evaluate the extent of the pollution.
The beach, located in the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz and one of Tenerife’s top tourist destinations since the 1960s, is known for its striking black sands, volcanic rocks, and views of Mount Teide.
Despite the usual influx of tourists to the area, only a few people have ventured to sunbathe here since the beach was cordoned off on July 4th. The contamination was triggered by the rupture of a sewage pipeline that discharges waste close to the shore.
Despite the beach being closed for two months, and with no significant changes made, the situation has attracted attention from both tourists and residents. On Friday, the Canary Islands government held a coordination meeting with the Tenerife Island Council and the Puerto de la Cruz Town Hall to assess the situation. The authorities began by analysing 15 key locations between Punta Brava and San Telmo to determine the water quality.
Fieldwork is being conducted to measure water and land conditions, and an inventory of potential marine pollution sources is underway. These efforts aim to assess water quality and identify possible leaks to better manage the contamination.
The island’s authorities have faced several challenges in repairing the damaged sewage pipe. According to Blanca Pérez, Tenerife’s Councillor for Natural Environment and Sustainability, underwater repair work began in August but was delayed due to technical difficulties.
Last week, an emergency decree allocated €201,000 for immediate repairs to both land and sea sections of the pipeline. Pérez confirmed that these efforts are ongoing, with the goal of resolving the issue as quickly as possible.
Mayor Afonso highlighted the municipality’s efforts to improve its wastewater management system, including plans to prioritize the legalization of pumping stations.
Playa Jardín is no stranger to closures due to faecal contamination, joining a growing list of beaches affected by this issue. Similar problems have also impacted other popular beaches on the island, such as El Médano and La Pinta in the south of island, which have both experienced multiple closures this summer due to high levels of pathogens in the water. Despite these recurring incidents, a lasting solution remains elusive.
