Green MEP steps up pressure on La Linea sewage problem

A Green MEP has pressed the European Commission to take “specific action” against Spain to address pollution from La Linea that is impact water quality at Western Beach.

Molly Scott Cato, who represents Gibraltar and the southwest of England, urged the Commission to intervene directly to resolve this long-standing cross-border problem.

The MEP tabled a question in the European Parliament just days before publication of an EU report that described water quality at Western Beach and Sandy Bay as “poor”.

Sewage leaks from La Linea have plagued bathers at Western Beach for several years but despite repeated pleas for the issue to be addressed, the problem persists.

Prior to 2010, Western Beach is said to have had consistently excellent bacterial water quality.

But in the last six years and especially during rainfall there have been episodes associated with sewage discharges from a storm water drain in the neighbouring Spanish city.

Photo by David Parody

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