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La Manga beaches reopen after ship spill deemed harmless
Water quality tests have confirmed that there is no faecal or chemical contamination in the water, but authorities still advise caution due to choppy sea conditions
The three La Manga beaches closed this Monday July 21 following a suspected sewage spill have reopened to bathers, after analyses by the Region of Murcia’s Public Health department confirmed the absence of faecal matter or harmful pollutants in the water.
Access to Playa del Pedrucho, Playa del Banco del Tabal and Playa del Arenal was restored at 11am this Tuesday 22, following the results of water samples taken after a brown slick appeared off the Mediterranean coast.
The stain had been visible around 20 metres from the shoreline and later spread over two kilometres, prompting red flags and the temporary closure of the area.
“The results confirm that the parameters analysed are within the range of public health,” said Estíbaliz Masegosa, San Javier’s councillor for Tourism. The Town Hall had acted quickly after receiving the alert, ensuring beaches remained closed until the all-clear was given.
The slick, initially thought to be sewage, was later described as a thin surface layer that had not clouded the water, suggesting it could have been a food-based discharge such as molasses or palm oil, which certain vessels are permitted to release under regulated conditions.
According to Cartagena’s maritime captain, Óscar Villar, another possibility under investigation is that the spill originated from bilge water, grey or black water from ships that is often filtered and legally discharged further out at sea.
To help disperse the filmy muck on the surface of the water, jet skis and boats were deployed to churn the water and speed up dilution, and local police drones also monitored the situation from the sky.
Although the beaches are now officially safe for bathing, yellow flags have been raised across several points along La Manga due to increased wave activity. Swimmers are urged to exercise caution, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and older people.
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