Western Beach swimming ban amid sewage concerns

Bathing at Western Beach remains “strictly prohibited” until such time as bathing water quality levels conform to EU legal standards, the Gibraltar Government has said.

 In a statement responding to concerns raised last week by the Environmental Safety Group, No 6 Convent Place said the source of the elevated levels of E. coli and Interstinal enterococci pollution is a combined storm water outfall in La Linea, Spain. 

 The Government said it echoes the ESG’s position and will continue to lobby the European Commission and Spanish Authorities in order to find a permanent solution to the ongoing problem of sewage contamination at Western Beach.

 It also reiterated that both the Environmental Agency and the Department of the Environment and Climate Change continue to monitor bathing water quality at Western Beach to safeguard public health.

 “In doing so, bathing at Western Beach has, and continues, to be prohibited until such time as bathing water quality levels conform to EU legal standards,” the Government said.