Coastal water safety confirmed in Arica and Málaga

Authorities in Arica, Chile, have confirmed that coastal waters are safe for recreational use following citizen concerns regarding potential contamination. Regional Governor Diego Paco Mamani, alongside health and public works officials, conducted field inspections and water sampling across the coastline to verify sanitary conditions.

To prevent future issues, officials are shifting focus toward preventing illegal waste dumping in riverbeds, particularly ahead of the summer rains. A punitive inspection plan is being developed to target clandestine landfills and irregular discharges into river basins.

In Málaga, Spain, the city council has reopened the Guadalmar, Sacaba, Misericordia, and San Andrés beaches after recent water analysis confirmed they are fit for bathing. The temporary closure followed a storm on August 15 that caused overflows in the sanitation network.

The municipality noted that such overflows occur in many coastal areas when intense rainfall overwhelms combined sewage and rainwater systems. To mitigate this, the city is investing in infrastructure to separate rainwater pipes from sewage lines, aiming to reduce flooding and discharge risks.