Many bathers stay away from Playa La Charca in Salobreña because of the drainage channel that runs from the paseo to the sea, with good reason, now, it seems.

The Health Board for the Junta has forbidden bathing off Playa La Charca because an elevated presence of intestinal microbiological enterococci, was detected in a recent sample analysis carried out by the Servicio de Vigilancia Sanitaria de Aguas de Baño de Andalucía.

Normally, this does not cause problems unless it enters the blood stream via a cut, or the urinary tract whilst bathing. The Junta considers that the problem is caused by an overflow from the sewage-collection point.

For this reason, the Junta urges the Town Hall to take action immediately by marking out the area where the prohibition exists and putting up no-bathing notices. These measure must be kept in place until the Junta says otherwise.

Readers will remember that a floating, cream-coloured streak appeared off Playa La Guardia at the beginning of summer. Seprona took samples and concluded that the source was a nearby sewage pipe emptying directly into the sea or an overflow on a collection point within the sewage collection system.

The Mayor of Salobreña, Javier Ortega, pointed out that the rest of the municipality’s beaches are in a perfect state and apt for bathing.

(News: Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)