Holiday warning as tourists banned from sea at one of Tenerife’s best beaches

Tourists flocking to one of Tenerife’s prettiest beaches have been warned not to go in the water because of wastewater contamination.

An indefinite swimming ban has been issued at Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz on the Spanish island after the pollution was discovered in tests for e-coli bacteria.

Now health experts have warned people flocking to the popular beach hotspot that going in the water could be too dangerous.

Warning signs about the contamination have been put up in all different languages at entrances to the beach.

Anyone who ignores the warnings and enters the water could be at risk of infections entering their systems via their ears, eyes, nasal passages and skin.

They could also end up getting gastrointestinal diseases, experts said.

The ban has come in today after a public health report from the Government of the Canary Islands revealed the poor state of the water quality.

Playa Jardin’s water quality has dropped from excellent to poor in the space of just eight years.

Puerto de la Cruz council said: ‘There is epidemiological evidence that this situation can cause gastrointestinal symptoms due to ingestion of water, as well as other types of conditions such as acute respiratory infections and infections of the ears, eyes, nasal passages and skin

‘This decision will be extended indefinitely and is a measure in response to the decline in water quality that has been occurring at least since 2016 in the Playa Jardín area and, above all, in this last year 2024.’

Mayor of Puerto Marco González has shared his worries that the contamination issue and subsequent swimming ban will harm tourism and damage Tenerife’s reputation as a holiday destination.

But he also said it’s important the council has shared the news, and that they take preventative measures.

Mr González also said he believes the poor water issue can be solved ‘if all administrations prioritise the actions that are already not only planned but also have the necessary financing’.

A detailed investigation will be carried out to try to find the root cause of the contamination.

As part of this all pumping stations will be examined and improvements will also be made to the local treatment plant.

Every year thousands of Brits flock to Puerto de la Cruz for holidays, and Playa Jardin is one of the prettiest beaches in the area.

Tourists are also now facing a new tax after locals demanded an intervention to reduce the number of visitors after mass anti-tourism protests.

Tenerife’s council said the new tax system will come in from January 1, 2025, and will be applied to all famous, protected nature sites like volcano Mount Teide, some rural parks and hamlets like Masca.

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