Puerto de la Cruz received a much-needed boost ahead of the summer season with the news that one of its most popular beaches is due to reopen after a year-long closure.
Playa Jardín was ordered to shut on 3 July 2024 after dangerously high levels of faecal contamination were detected in its waters. The problems suffered by the popular beach were attributed, among other reasons, to a broken sewage pipe that led to the discharge of untreated wastewater into the sea. The contamination resulted in dangerously high levels of bacteria, making the water unsafe for swimming.
In addition to the reputational damage caused to the popular tourist destination in north Tenerife by extensive reporting of the closure in local and international media, as well as in specialist travel publications such as Travel and Tour World, local businesses in the affected area (Punta Brava) have suffered massively due to the lack of footfall, with a number reportedly being forced to cease trading.
Furious locals have repeatedly called for urgent repairs to be speeded up to ensure sewage is not discharged into the sea near the beach, with residents and community groups staging protests to demand action from local authorities to address the pollution and restore the beach to a safe state.
Fears were particularly high that Playa Jardín would be out of action for a second successive summer, but it has now been revealed that the beach is scheduled to reopen “within days”.
The news was given yesterday by Puerto de la Cruz mayor Leopoldo Alfonso, who explained that the problem has been largely resolved by improvements costing two million euros to a key wastewater treatment plant in La Orotava, which serves the area. Repairs and improvements have also been carried out to local sewage networks in the town and regular testing of water quality at Playa Jardín since December indicates that levels warrant a reopening of the beach.
