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Puerto de Mazarrón beach closed due to presence of human waste in the water
High-season overcrowding is suspected as the cause of the leak since no faults have been found in the sewage network
The beach at Puerto de Mazarrón has been closed to bathers since this morning, Thursday July 3, following the detection of faecal contamination in the seawater.
According to the Local Police, who cordoned off the area, and the Town Hall, which raised the red flag, water quality tests revealed slightly elevated levels of contamination beyond those permitted by Royal Decree 1341/2007.
Despite concerns, Mazarrón Town Council has stated that no rupture or malfunction has been found in the local sewage system. The working hypothesis is that the contamination is a result of the sharp increase in beachgoers at the start of the high season, which may have overwhelmed the natural capacity of the beach ecosystem to maintain water quality.
“This is something that can occur at the beginning of summer due to a sudden influx of people,” explained a municipal source. “Overcrowding can impact the delicate balance of the beach’s ecosystem, especially when there is a sharp rise in usage.”
The closure has disappointed many holidaymakers who had planned to enjoy the beach. Town Hall officials say the current readings are not alarmingly high, but they do exceed the threshold considered safe for bathing.
They expect the natural salinity and tidal movement to restore balance to the water quality within roughly 12 hours. In the meantime, water samples continue to be monitored.
The Regional Ministry of Health has urged the Town Hall to remain vigilant and is overseeing environmental checks. Environmental Health teams are collecting samples and tracking water quality to determine when the beach can safely reopen.
This is not an isolated case. Just two days before, Cala Cerrada in Orihuela, near La Zenia, was closed for similar reasons. Last summer, beaches in various parts of Murcia were temporarily shut due to pollution, including Cala Reona is Cartagena and the beaches of La Colonia and Poniente in Águilas, which were affected by a broken sewage pumping system.
For more local news, events and visitor information, you can go to the home page of Mazarrón Today
Image: ITREM
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