Puerto de la Cruz Council Joins Legal Case Over Playa Jardín Management Amid Water Quality Dispute
Puerto de la Cruz City Council has joined criminal proceedings regarding the management of Playa Jardín while simultaneously presenting new independent water quality data to challenge regional health restrictions.
The management of Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz has become increasingly complex, both legally and technically. The local council has officially decided to join the criminal proceedings involving former mayor Marco González, aiming to play an active role in clarifying the facts surrounding the management of the coastal area.
This legal move comes amid a technical disagreement. While the regional government’s Public Health department remains concerned about water quality, the City Council has released a second independent report. These findings, which follow a previous audit, suggest the water is safe. Mayor Leopoldo Afonso plans to present this data to health authorities in hopes of a re-evaluation.
Mayor Afonso is attempting to balance a commitment to transparency regarding the previous administration with the need for a productive relationship with regional officials. He emphasized that the council’s involvement in the court case is not a rush to judgment, but a way to ensure the public interest is protected. To support its position, the City Council has highlighted a record of 239 favorable water tests and over 100 maintenance projects.
Meanwhile, the local government is moving forward with its recovery plan. On Friday, August 14, the seventh phase of cleaning and conservation work began. These efforts, which include disinfection and environmental improvements, are central to the council’s strategy to fully reopen the beach—a goal that still depends on reconciling the conflicting technical reports and the ongoing court case.