Spain holidays are hugely popular with British tourists looking to escape to sun, sea and sand. However, an investigation has suggested that the sea in certain areas is nowhere near as clean as one would hope. Three pipes have been found to be pumping waste into the sea near Costa del Sol beaches popular with Britons. The pipes are located at Burriana Beach, Torrecilla Beach and near the Mario cliffs.
Disgusting footage shows clouds of brown water shooting out of the large pipes underwater.
The investigation as carried out by Guardia Civil and found clumps of untreated sewage measuring 20 metres by three metres in the water, reported the Olive Press.
More than nine tonnes of wet wipes were found, amassing to “mountains.”
The Institute of Toxicology in Sevilla analysed water samples and discovered the faecal matter in the water meant there was a risk of gastroenteritis and skin infections.
Local officials are now under investigation, with 16 mayors, former mayors, councillors and public officials in Nerja and Coín being questioned by the police, reported southern Spain site the Sur in English.
However, some former and current mayors have claimed it isn’t their town halls’ job to treat waste if the regional government hasn’t provided the treatment plants to do it, said the Sur in English.
The dumping of untreated waste has been a continual problem in Spain.
The EU has fined the Mediterranean country for allowing some of its councils to dispose of sewage in such a way.
Tourists have taken to TripAdvisor to complain about the problem of sewage.
One reviewer of Burriana Beach wrote last year: “The whole time we were there the sea was inaccessible – there was a sewage problem, very noticeably.
“Locals are upset that nothing is being done to solve this reoccurring problem.”
One person said four of their friend swam in the sea off the beach and ended up with “upset stomach problems.”
Another posted: ”Water looked clear but on closer inspection there were stringy brown bits all around. Stayed out the water rest of the week!”
A third added: “I found it difficult to believe that people were actually swimming there! The brown slicks are something of a giveaway!”
Some cruise ships have previously been accused of dumping waste into the ocean – but what is supposed to happen to ship waste?
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) told Express.co.uk that anything which is discharged into the sea goes through rigorous treatment first.