The Ministry of Health of Andalusia has temporarily advised against swimming at Atlanterra beach, located in the municipality of Tarifa (Cádiz). The measure was adopted after detecting alterations in the water's microbiological parameters, specifically anomalous levels of Escherichia coli and intestinal Enterococci, which are common indicators of fecal contamination.
This situation occurs just days after the Málaga City Council had to restrict water access at Pedregalejo and El Palo beaches for the same reason. The restriction at Atlanterra, adopted this Friday at the request of the Health Management Area of Campo de Gibraltar Oeste, is preventive and will remain in effect until the causes of the alteration disappear.
The prohibition affects only the coastal stretch of Atlanterra. Other nearby beaches such as El Carmen in Zahara de los Atunes or Los Alemanes remain suitable for swimming.
The Tarifa City Council has ruled out that the origin of the incident comes from the Wastewater Treatment Plant (EDAR) of Atlanterra. According to reports from the concessionaire company Aqualia and municipal technical services, analyses from the plant's authorized discharge point show normal parameters and do not link the detected contamination to the EDAR's effluent.
Both the mayor, José Antonio Santos, and the municipal delegate for Beaches, Nacho Trujillo, consider the possibility that the cause is illegal, unauthorized discharges. Efforts are currently underway to identify the potential polluting source, and legal measures against offenders are being considered.
The council has installed signage with explicit notices and a yellow flag in the affected area, and necessary corrective measures are being implemented to restore normal parameter concentration levels.
