Playa Jardín Closed Again Amid Conflicting Water Quality Reports

Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz has been closed to swimmers once again due to concerns over water quality. On Wednesday, August 12, the local council issued a preventive closure following a notification from the Canary Islands' General Directorate of Public Health. This decision has sparked confusion, as the council’s own independent water tests returned satisfactory results, contradicting the regional health authority’s findings.

This is not an isolated issue, but rather the latest chapter in a long-standing sanitation crisis that has dominated local politics and environmental concerns. The beach previously remained closed for nearly a year between 2024 and 2025 due to fecal contamination. A similar dispute occurred last June during the San Juan celebrations, when conflicting reports led to confusion over whether the beach should be closed. This time, the City Council has opted to act immediately on the regional government's advice.

The heart of the problem is the disagreement between the two sets of test results. While the local government argues that the poor reading is an outlier compared to over two hundred recent positive tests, the General Directorate of Public Health holds the final authority on water safety. The council has requested an urgent review of the data while continuing to inspect local sanitation infrastructure and clean the beach.

Beyond the health risks, the situation poses a significant challenge for local tourism and community stability. Mayor Leopoldo Afonso stated that the closure is a necessary step to protect the public, while opposition parties and local groups, such as the Stop Vertidos Platform, are keeping a close watch on the situation. The beach will remain closed until health authorities confirm it is safe, leaving residents and business owners questioning whether recent upgrades to the sanitation network will be enough to secure the future of one of Tenerife’s most iconic beaches.