Adeje City Council mandated the temporary shutdown of La Pinta Beach two days ago, following the discovery of the bacteria “short-lived enterococcus 310” during the regular water quality control assessments. Yesterday, the closure remained in effect, and today, it is anticipated to reopen, contingent upon the results of new tests being conducted.
This precautionary measure aims to safeguard the health of swimmers, as highlighted by the council in an official announcement yesterday.
The choice was made based on the findings from the daily examinations, which form part of the health oversight protocol for the beach. In an official statement published on their website, local authorities advised against swimming until further notice and have cordoned off the area, while technical teams persist in monitoring the situation continuously.
WHAT ARE ENTEROCOCCI?
Enterococci are bacteria that, while present naturally in the intestines of both humans and animals, their appearance in water indicates faecal pollution. This suggests that the water may be tainted with microorganisms that could pose health risks, particularly for those who come into contact with it. Contact with these bacteria can lead to infections of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, in addition to urinary and gastrointestinal issues.
Adeje Town Hall expects to receive updated data on water quality this morning or, at the very latest, early afternoon. However, municipal sources have indicated that preliminary analyses from yesterday imply that the beach could reopen to the public today, assuming Public Health endorses it. Official confirmation will rely on the final results of the evaluations.
Regarding the source of the contamination, sources dismiss any fault from municipal installations. “The cause is being intensively investigated. We have indications suggesting that the swell this week may have led to a minor discharge from an island pumping station or even an unintentional spill from a moored boat.” The council is optimistic that the issue will be resolved promptly, allowing the beach to reopen as soon as possible.
