Beach at Calpe's Arenal-Bol resumes water activities
In the sun-drenched coastline of Costa Blanca, a series of beach closures have marred the summer season. The latest closure occurred on July 31, 2020, at Arenal-Bol beach in Calpe, affected by suspected water contamination believed to be caused by recent heavy rain carrying residual waste into the sea.
This incident is not an isolated case. Calpe, Denia, and Javea have all experienced beach closures due to elevated bacteria levels or wastewater overflow. Similar closures occurred earlier in the season at Cantal Roig beach in Calpe, and in nearby Denia and Javea, where bacteria levels rose after storms and wastewater incidents. Even Cala Cerrada beach in Orihuela Costa was closed in early July due to wastewater pollution detected during routine water quality testing.
The regional government has not yet implemented any new policies to prevent illegal discharges during the high season, a debate that is being fueled by the current situation. Authorities, however, are undertaking more regular and detailed water quality monitoring, with testing at hundreds of sampling points and thousands of analyses each season. The regional Bathing Water Quality Control Program informs beach closures and reopening decisions based on water sample results.
The decision to reopen was made after receiving approval from the Water Quality Service of the Generalitat Valenciana. A 24-hour observation period has been announced to monitor the beach's water quality. Swimmers are advised to respect signage and check with lifeguards for updates. Swimmers at Arenal-Bol are free to return to the water, but are urged to pay attention to posted flags and check municipal websites for the latest updates. The reopening is part of a precautionary protocol to ensure public health and beach safety.
Advances in water testing allow authorities to detect potential contamination before it poses a health risk, unlike in previous years. A red flag was raised and the Blue Flag was temporarily removed during the closure. Enforcement agencies have stepped up patrols to prevent public access to hazardous beaches closed for other safety risks, such as landslides at Cala Ambolo in Javea, to protect public safety and reduce unauthorized beach use.
Despite these efforts, the regional government has not announced any immediate plans to address the underlying issues believed to be exacerbated by ageing sewage systems, rapid urban development, and the seasonal surge in tourism. Nor have they mentioned any plans to compensate affected residents or tourists due to the beach closures or announced any penalties or fines for businesses or individuals found to be responsible for illegal discharges leading to beach closures.
The regional government has pledged to improve stormwater systems and increase oversight in vulnerable coastal areas, including Calpe, Denia, and Javea. However, they have not provided a timeline for the completion of these promised improvements. The debate over the need for long-term investment in sewage infrastructure and stricter enforcement against illegal discharges, especially during the high season, is a pressing concern for the future of Costa Blanca's beaches.
- To address the recurring beach closures and potential health risks, the regional government has vowed to improve both stormwater systems and oversight in vulnerable coastal areas such as environmental-science fields under scrutiny, like Calpe, Denia, and Javea.
- While sports enthusiasts may enjoy mixed-martial-arts training or a swim in the sea, health-and-wellness and the environment are inseparable; therefore, investments in sewage infrastructure and stricter enforcement against illegal discharges during the high season are necessary to ensure the future safety and well-being of the beaches in Costa Blanca.
