Les Madrigueres beach in El Vendrell, Tarragona, was closed to bathers on Tuesday evening after a sewage spill reached the sea. The incident is believed to have started at the town pumping station, with contaminated water flowing down the stream bed to the coastline.
Catalonia's Civil Protection agency activated the CAMCAT special emergency plan for accidental marine water contamination at pre-alert level. The measure was taken after officials identified the likely source of the discharge and the route it took to the beach.
The Catalan Water Agency, known as the ACA, is responsible for managing and removing the contamination. It is due to work with El Vendrell Town Council on Thursday, 4 June, to find a solution to the pollution.
Until then, Les Madrigueres beach will stay closed as a precaution. Swimming will not be allowed until water quality returns to safe levels, and that could take more than a day.
The reopening will depend on the results of ongoing water quality checks and controls. For more Catalonia local news, see our news coverage.
