Residents and visitors in Coma-ruga, in the Baix Penedès area of Tarragona, are protesting recent works on the riuet stream at the beach, saying the changes have damaged a popular bathing spot.
They say the works have altered the stream’s outlet and removed the natural basin where bathers, especially older people, used to gather for its mineral-medicinal waters. Rafaela González, who says she has visited Coma-ruga for 15 years on medical advice, joined the protest on Saturday, 30 May 2026. She said she rents an apartment there every year and was shocked by the changes.
Locals and tourists say the beach has lost an important attraction and are calling for the original water outlet to be reopened. The mayor has said the work can be reviewed and that a study has been commissioned to assess reopening the mouth, but the project is already complete. Officials say any change would need a new plan, funding and authorisation from the Catalan government and the Ministry.
Residents also question the depth of the new channel. Carlos Marcos, who has already used the new riuet, said the promised depth of 60 to 80 centimetres is not there, and that the deepest point is about 50 centimetres, with steps down to 30 and 20 centimetres. He said that could be dangerous for older people.
Throughout Saturday morning and afternoon, residents gathered with protest banners and said they had collected nearly 2,000 signatures in support of restoring the riuet to its recent configuration. They say the water now flows under the sand and emerges about 15 metres further along, without the former basin.
The town council says the intervention was a naturalisation project meant to restore the area to its original state, increase the bathing area, improve accessibility and reduce the risk of water quality problems. It says storm drains that emptied into the stream, and carried debris from the N-340 road, have been removed. Xisco Roig, a doctor in geology and geography and an expert in beach management, said the former river channel will now become a flood zone. More Catalonia news