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The good news for anyone heading to the Puerto beach in Pilar de la Horadada today is that it is open again. The bathing area was cleared for swimming on Wednesday June 24 after fresh water quality samples confirmed the sea was safe, bringing to an end a closure that had lasted roughly 24 hours.

 

The beach had been shut to swimmers on Tuesday June 23 after the General Directorate of Environmental Quality and Education of the Valencian Regional Government notified the Pilar de la Horadada Ayuntamiento that contamination levels in the water had exceeded acceptable limits.

 

Specifically, one of the key indicators of fecal contamination had come back at more than twice the maximum permissible value under Royal Decree 1341/2007, the legislation governing the management of bathing waters in Spain. The Ayuntamiento confirmed on Wednesday that samples taken that morning showed the water was once again suitable for bathing, and the beach was reopened accordingly.

 

Throughout the closure, visitors were still welcome to use the beach itself, with sunbathing and walking along the shore permitted. Only entering the water was prohibited.

 

The causes of the contamination are still being investigated. The Ayuntamiento has said it will keep the public informed of the results of any further analysis.

 

This is the second bathing closure for fecal contamination in the Vega Baja area within the space of a week, following a similar incident in Torrevieja, where the Ayuntamiento did confirm the closure promptly but was less forthcoming about the specific cause.

 

For those unfamiliar with the beach, Puerto beach sits right in the heart of Torre de la Horadada, alongside the marina and Yacht Club. It is 684 metres long and 30 metres wide, with calm waters sheltered from easterly winds by the port itself, making it one of the most popular bathing spots on the Pilar coastline. The beach holds both Blue Flag status and ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 environmental certifications, and is fully equipped with lifeguards, a first aid station and facilities for visitors with reduced mobility.

 

 

Images: Ayuntamiento de Pilar de la Horada/Facebook