Fury as busy beach in Spain tourist hotspot is swamped by pool of ‘human faeces’ YARDS from sunbathers
TOURISTS have been left disgusted after the largest family beach of Menorca was left swamped by stinking “human faeces” just yards from sunbathers.
Beachgoers have described how a pool of water apparently containing excrement has caused havoc on El Prat de Son Bou beach, a modern resort of the popular Balearic island.
“It smells like a nitrogenous product, there is bacteriological decomposition,” Rafael Cerezo, a resident of Torre-solí for 30 years and regular beachgoer, said.
Following Cerezo’s complaint to the City Council, he said the Council cleaned the pool, but it filled up again.
Cerezo said he believes a malfunctioning sewage plant is behind the foul waste pool.
The plant is used to treat all sewage from the area, but given the high level of tourism occupation this summer, the flow has increased, he said.
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“Either the sewage treatment plant that discharges into El Prat [Son Bou beach] is insufficient or it doesn’t work well, or it’s broken,” he added.
“It is a problem that I have seen in past years, but never like so far with so much organic matter.”
The City Council, meanwhile, rejected claims the pool was filled with human faeces, instead saying the foul small was due to stagnant water.
“The treatment plans discharge the treated water, we are not aware that there is contamination,” Cristóbal Marqués, Councillor for Urban Planning and Finance of Alaior, told Menorca Info.
The Municipality’s beach coordinator said he inspected the area after the complaint before concluding the pool was full of mud.
“We are the first interested in the cleanliness and health of the beach,” Marqués said.
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The councillor admitted bad smells emanate from the area but attributed those to a nearby pumping station, located in the beach car park.
It comes as Brits have been warned they could be slapped with a £130 fine on their next holiday in Spain for simply building a sandcastle.
The rule came into effect following a 2016 Benidorm Town Hall vote to ban sand structures on Levante beach, The Daily Telegraph reported.
It is also not allowed in Arona and Arica in Tenerife.
It isn’t the only law you could be breaking while on holiday in Spain.
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Several Spanish tourist hotspots, including Barcelona and the Canary Islands, ban smoking on the beach, with fines up to £1,700.
Wearing your swimwear off the beach also could see you paying out in Spain.