A popular beach in southern Tenerife has been temporarily closed to swimmers after tests detected E. coli bacteria in the sea above permitted safety levels.

Granadilla de Abona Town Hall announced yesterday (Tuesday) that Leocadio Machado Beach, in El Médano, has been closed as a precaution, with a red flag raised to prohibit bathing.

The local authority said fresh water samples will be taken today (Wednesday) for further analysis. The beach will reopen only once tests confirm the water is safe for swimming.

"This measure has been taken to guarantee the safety of bathers while awaiting the results of the new water analyses," the council said.

Long-Running Water Quality Concerns

The latest closure is the latest in a series of water quality issues affecting El Médano's coastline.

In the summer of 2023, frustrated residents staged protests over repeated sewage pollution incidents, hanging banners from balconies with slogans calling for an effective wastewater treatment system and cleaner seas.

Where Does E. coli Come From?

E. coli is a bacterium commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Elevated levels in bathing water usually indicate contamination from sewage or wastewater.

According to environmental experts, treated wastewater is discharged into the sea through underwater outfalls, but currents can sometimes carry contaminated water back towards the coast, affecting bathing areas.

Hundreds of Discharge Points Across the Canary Islands

The latest figures from the Canary Islands' Regional Ministry for Ecological Transition and Energy show there are 403 land-to-sea discharge points across the archipelago. Of these:

• 361 are currently active
• 216 are operating without official authorisation

The ongoing issue has attracted increasing scrutiny in recent years.

Spain Found in Breach of EU Rules

The beach closure comes after the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that Spain had failed to meet its obligations on the treatment of urban wastewater before it is discharged into the sea.

The judgment highlighted several locations across the country that do not comply with EU wastewater standards, with many of the affected sites located in Tenerife.

For now, visitors and residents are being advised not to enter the water at Leocadio Machado Beach until the latest test results confirm it is once again safe for bathing.