Tenerife Beach Closed as Recurring Wastewater Discharges Spark Sanitation Concerns

Recurring wastewater discharges along the Tenerife coastline have once again exposed serious flaws in the island’s sanitation system. On Friday, September 11, 2026, officials were forced to close El Cabezo beach in Güímar after water testing revealed 410 intestinal enterococci units per 100 milliliters—double the safety limit of 200 set by current regulations.

This incident is part of a worrying trend this summer, marking the fifth beach closure in the archipelago due to microbiological contamination. These discharges pose a significant risk to public health and threaten the local economy, particularly at El Cabezo, which serves as a vital tourist and recreational hub for Puertito de Güímar.

The situation highlights a broader vulnerability in the island's water treatment infrastructure. While some areas, such as Leocadio Machado beach in Granadilla de Abona, saw a quick reopening after a July closure, other locations are struggling with deeper structural issues. Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz has been closed twice this summer—most recently on September 4—due to problems with its underwater sewage outfall. Additionally, Bajamar beach in La Laguna was forced to close on August 26 after fecal bacteria levels spiked above 800 units.

The Canary Islands government is responsible for monitoring water quality and authorizing beach reopenings. In Güímar, local authorities have cordoned off the beach and banned swimming while they wait for new test results to confirm the water is safe. These repeated incidents across the island demonstrate an urgent need to upgrade the sanitation network, a challenge that is now one of the greatest threats to both the health of the public and the marine biodiversity of the Canary Islands.