ESG Press Release August 4th 2011

IMPORTANT BATHING WATER INFO

The ESG has been following the issue of sea pollution for some time now concerned about sewage and other forms of marine pollution. Since late 2010, the issue of sewage pollution mainly originating from Spain has given serious concern to both the public and the authorities and this has highlighted major difficulties of sewage management issues in our neighbouring La Linea town. Much has been published on this matter and the Gibraltar Government has taken various measures to increase monitoring and provide more information to the public. The ESG continues to receive calls from concerned citizens about the safety of bathing off our beaches. Due to the worsening of sewage issues in La Linea the real risk to our beaches continues and so we do advise people to remain vigilant. The Env Agency website carries some data but the ESG is assured that this will be increased soon to provide more accurate information to enable the public to make a choice over where they will swim.

A further bit of information which should be of interest to the public is the publication of “beach profiles” on all our beaches which can be found at the Dept of Environment website (see below for links) which gives a detailed profile on the physical properties of every local beach as well as facilities and pollution risks. It surprises the ESG that this information is not found on the Environmental Agency website where most people are directed to visit for information on bathing water quality but nevertheless is impressed with the quality of the information provided. The group believes this will interest many and urge the public to visit links below.

http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/images/stories/PDF/environment/Beach%20profiles/Catalan_Bay_Bathing_water_profile.pdf

http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/images/stories/PDF/environment/Beach%20profiles/Western_beach_bathing_water_profile.pdf