Playa Jardín Coves Closed Again Due to High E. Coli Levels

Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz is once again at the center of a health controversy. Local authorities have been forced to close two of the beach’s three coves—Punta Brava and El Charcón—after water tests revealed Escherichia coli levels that exceed safety standards.

On Thursday, September 3, Mayor Leopoldo Afonso ordered the closures following reports from the Canary Islands’ Directorate General of Public Health. Tests conducted the previous day showed 800 units of the bacteria per 100 milliliters, well above the legal limit of 500. This is the third such incident this summer, underscoring ongoing issues with the town’s coastal management.

This is a recurring problem linked to long-standing failures in local sanitation infrastructure. Between 2024 and 2025, the beach was closed for 349 consecutive days due to similar contamination. The causes are complex: at least 125 homes in the Punta Brava neighborhood are not connected to the sewage system, and there are persistent operational issues at the Valle de La Orotava treatment plant, as well as problems with its submarine outfall.

The response to these alerts has also caused friction between authorities. Last June, the City Council ignored a closure recommendation from public health officials during the San Juan festivities, citing confusion over communication. That incident highlighted the ongoing tension between prioritizing public safety and maintaining tourism.

While the local government says it is working to resolve the contamination, the repeat nature of these discharges has raised serious concerns. The long-term environmental health of this iconic beach depends on a complete modernization of the sanitation network—a project that remains unfinished.