Málaga advises avoiding four beaches due to E. coli detection

The Málaga City Council has issued a temporary recommendation to avoid swimming at the Campo de Golf, Sacaba, Misericordia, and San Andrés beaches following the detection of E. coli bacteria. The contamination was identified in samples taken by the Municipal Water Company (Emasa) on Tuesday.

The presence of the bacteria is a result of recent heavy rainfall, which triggered controlled sewage overflows. These overflows occurred as the city's drainage systems, particularly in older areas, managed rainwater mixed with a fraction of wastewater to prevent flooding.

Following advice from the Regional Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucía, authorities have activated a protocol that includes cleaning the affected beaches and installing signage near discharge points to protect public health. The city has previously noted that its sanitation infrastructure can struggle with water volumes exceeding five times the average capacity during intense storms. To address these recurring issues, the municipality has planned a sanitation system reform strategy estimated at 49.5 million euros between 2024 and 2029.