# Spain swimming pool contamination trend > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spain-swimming-pool-contamination-trend > Updated: 2026-08-26T02:30:00.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2. Public swimming pools in Spain continue to face widespread closures and health risks due to the ‘brown challenge’ (reto marrón) social media trend. This phenomenon involves children and adolescents intentionally defecating in pools or using bags hidden in swimwear to release waste, often filming the resulting evacuations and police responses to gain social media engagement. Recent reports indicate that hundreds of incidents have occurred this year, following approximately 300 cases recorded last year. In Burgos, authorities have moved forward with legal proceedings against the parents of four children, aged 11 to 13, after they were observed defecating in the El Plantío swimming pool. These parents face potential fines of 3,000 euros each, in addition to claims for damages to cover cleaning and disinfection costs. While perpetrators have employed inventive methods to avoid detection, local authorities maintain strict penalties. Legal consequences can include fines of up to 20,000 euros and multi-year bans from public facilities, yet the trend continues to impact municipal pools across the country. ## Claims - There have been hundreds of incidents of fecal contamination in Spanish swimming pools so far this year. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Some perpetrators have been reported to bring feces in plastic bags hidden in their swimwear. (corroborated by 5 sources) - A fine is being processed against the parents of four children aged 11 to 13 in Burgos. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The parents in Burgos face fines of 3,000 euros each and potential compensation claims for cleaning costs. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Fines for the 'brown challenge' can reach up to 20,000 euros. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Mayor of Burgos, Cristina Ayala, stated that the legal proceedings will be pursued to the full extent. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Spain swimming pools targeted by ‘brown challenge’ social media trend A social media trend called the ‘reto marrón’ is causing chaos in Spanish swimming pools as youths intentionally defecate in water for views, leading to police intervention and heavy fines for parents. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-swimming-pools-face-brown-challenge-social-media-trend ### 2026-08-13: Spain swimming pools close due to ‘brown challenge’ trend Over 300 swimming pools in Spain have closed due to the ‘brown challenge,’ a social media trend involving intentional water contamination, prompting fines and increased police surveillance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-swimming-pools-close-due-to-brown-challenge-trend --- Cite as: Spain swimming pool contamination trend. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spain-swimming-pool-contamination-trend