sewage | The Environmental Safety Group

Sewage once again in our waters at Western

11th November 2011

The ESG has been in contact with the Ministry for the Environment on numerous occasions recently calling for a public statement to be made on the return of high levels of sewage at Western Beach. Yet nothing is heard from our authorities on the matter. Members of our community who use our waters year round are already too familiar with the offensive smells and presence of sewage especially near Western Beach when out canoeing etc. We have seen round the Rock charity swims too and clearly this type of activity will continue throughout the winter months. Residents near Western Beach are also seriously affected by the over-powering stench of sewage discharged via the La Linea storm drains whenever it rains.

This is not a case of people eventually forgetting about this or accepting this new pollution problem as “normal”. It is a public health issue and requires that the Environmental Agency makes every effort to inform the community in order that people can make an informed choice. The ESG would also like to know what pressure the GoG is placing on its Spanish counterpart to find a resolution to this cross border, public health problem.

Looking at the Environmental Agency website one can see sporadic data, not usually taken after the rains when contamination levels would be at their worst, and yet already exhibiting a familiar spiking pattern of illegal levels of sewage, and this, frankly, cannot go by in silence.

Perhaps protests and petitions are once again required and the ESG and Beach Users, who have jointly campaigned on this issue to date, will be holding discussions soon to plan further action.

Go to : http://www.environmental-agency.gi/beachresult.php?beachid=6
for sewage data posted on the Environmental Agency website.

SEWAGE AGAIN AT SEA!

Joint Press Release re Western Beach and Sewage at Sea 24th October 2011

The ESG and the Western Beach users have recently been in contact with Sir Graham Watson’s office and have been informed that their petition is likely to be heard by the European Petitions Committee before Christmas.

Campaigners, however, continue to be concerned about sewage pollution from La Linea as all indications are that the recent heavy rains will bring about heavily polluted seas around Gibraltar once again.

Readings

Checking the Environmental Agency website for data reveals that even while not as frequent as desired, the data from most beaches indicates a steady and at times, spiking, level of sewage contamination. Campaigners trust that the Gibraltar Government will maintain sampling frequency at all beaches as it is public knowledge that the Western Beach problem didn’t simply disappear; it was re-routed in the main, towards Eastern Beach coastline. Concerns remain that the time lapse between sample taking and publishing information is still too long (well over a week, for example) meaning that the public cannot rely on this data to check on the safety or otherwise of the coastal waters.

Informed Choice

Although the official bathing season is now over campaigners worry that people are still using the beach as is evident in the recent bursts of hot weather. “Even if people do not swim they may use the beach in good weather,” says Karen Everett. She adds that, “It is therefore vital to ensure that up to date information on the pollution levels at all beaches is readily available and accessible to the public. Storm Drain sewage contamination is clearly already occurring and it is therefore very difficult to know when this can spike creating a serious pollution episode which could affect public health.

Problems at other Beaches

Both Western Beach users and the ESG consider that all efforts must now be made to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further and that monies are provided to the La Linea Municipality by the National Government to resolve this cross border pollution situation.
Anyone can see for themselves that our bathing water quality has dipped considerably this year due to sewage contamination. This slide must stop to ensure the protection of our marine environment and safeguard our beaches for our families to use for future summers.

Campaigners will publish any further developments with their Petition and Complaint lodged at the European Commission and will continue to monitor water quality at Western Beach in case of serious sewage dumping which could see further actions from them. The public are invited to please send in any reports of marine pollution to: esg@gibtelecom.net and sewageatsea@gmail.com

The ESG adds it hopes Gibraltar will soon see progress in our own sewage treatment plant which is long overdue.

CROSS BORDER SEWAGE CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

Press Release Western Beach Pollution
9th September 2011

Western Beach users and the ESG welcome the comments made by the Chief Minister and Mayor of La Linea on the need for action on the sewage pollution affecting Western Beach from La Linea’s storm drain. This public and direct admission is considered progress and is welcomed by campaigners. It would appear that the works to be carried out to the storm drain leading out into Western Beach will be made a priority. This is good news to all of those people who use Western beach.

Having kept a close watch on the levels of e coli pollution at all the beaches this summer, campaigners are concerned that it is not just Western Beach that has been affected. The levels at both Eastern Beach and Catalan Bay have risen considerably this year at times recording serious spikes in pollution levels. The solution therefore, needs to be thorough, and permanent, and ensure that all illegal discharges are closed and proper treatment facilities set up.

Campaigners believe it is vital to maintain pressure on this issue. At a meeting with the MEP Sir Graham Watson last week it was agreed that the Petitions Committee in Brussels would be contacted again to push for the petition signed by 3000 people to be heard as soon as possible.

“We cannot allow sewage to continue to flow out onto any of our beaches in the way that it has done over the past year,” said a spokesman, “a solution needs to be found, and more importantly, adequately funded by central government if need be due to its cross border nature , as a matter of urgency”.

Sewage at East Side

ESG Press Release 1st July 2011

ESG remains concerned about growing sewage pollution at East Side beaches

News today in the Spanish media that stretches of beach closest to Gibraltar on the East Side are being closed due to higher than acceptable levels of sewage should ring alarm bells locally.

The ESG urges the public and beach goers in particular to be extra vigilant regarding sewage pollution and to immediately notify the Life Guards as well as call the Environmental Agency to report the matter should such pollution be seen at sea.

The number to call is 200-70620.

We understand that Government is closely monitoring the situation.

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See following link for full Europa Sur story:

http://www.europasur.es/article/lalinea/1010995/ayuntamiento/cierra/bano/tramo/levante/por/orden/sas.html

LA LINEA AYUNTAMIENTO ON SEWAGE

Following statement issued 22/3/11 confirms La Linea’s intentions to deal with the sewage discharge to sea which has so badly affected Western Beach.

This is good news and we shall be monitoring this closely to ensure the problem will indeed be resolved.

SE INICIA LA COLOCACIÓN DE UN NUEVO COLECTOR A LO LARGO DE LA AVENIDA DEL EJÉRCITO QUE MEJORARÁ LAS ZONAS CENTRO Y SUR DE LA CIUDAD

Operarios de la empresa Barcar S.L. han iniciado los trabajos para la colocación de un nuevo colector a lo largo de la avenida del Ejército, según ha informado el concejal de Infraestructuras, Manuel Aguilera.

Esta nueva canalización discurrirá por el subsuelo desde la estación de bombeo existente junto a la plaza de la Constitución y llegará hasta la que se encuentra en el paseo marítimo de Levante con la calle Pavía, desde donde ya se inicia el recorrido existente hasta la depuradora. “Con este colector se da una solución definitiva al correcto encauzamiento de las aguas negras para las zonas centro y sur de la ciudad, además de trasladar las que son recogidas en el paseo marítimo de Poniente mediante la nueva estación de bombeo que ha sido construida junto al puerto deportivo de La Alcaidesa, la cual quedará enlazada con la red de colectores”, indicó el concejal.

Este nuevo colector no está incluido en los trabajos que actualmente se llevan a cabo en las barriadas Bellavista, Julián Besteiro y San Felipe, tareas que están finalizándose actualmente mediante el asfaltado de las calles que han sido levantadas para la implantación de nuevos colectores entre esas urbanizaciones. “De esta manera, hemos pasado a dar un salto cualitativo, moderno y eficaz a los problemas que existían, ya que algunas de estos núcleos no tenían sistemas separativos de aguas pluviales y negra. El esfuerzo inversor ha sido grande y la solución va a ser definitiva para muchos años”, agregó Aguilera en referencia tanto a aquéllas como a las nuevas obras.

También sirve este nuevo colector de la avenida del Ejército para que no existan problemas en época de fuertes precipitaciones de lluvia. “Nos hemos venido encontrando en algunos puntos del paseo marítimo de Poniente que cuando la lluvia arrecia se pierde el control por la cantidad de agua que colapsan los colectores actuales. Con éste cruzamos literalmente la ciudad de costa a costa para que las estaciones de bombeo del paseo marítimo de Levante lleven el agua hasta la depuradora general sin pérdida alguna”.

Estos trabajos se prolongarán durante varios meses, sin que por el momento exista fecha para su puesta en funcionamiento, pero Aguilera espera que en unas diez semanas quede todo finalizado y en servicio

ESG and Beach users react to La Linea news of action on sewage

The ESG and beach users at Western Beach greet the news of planned action taken by La Linea authority on its sewage disposal with a huge sense of relief.

A statement issued yesterday 22^nd March by la Linea Ayuntamiento confirms in some detail how the issue of collapsed piping and new sewage collectors will be set up to divert waste, currently discharged to sea, to a treatment plant. The aim, the Ayuntamiento claims, is to holistically address the sewage problem which affects the southern and central part of the town and from “coast” to “coast”.

The ESG and beach users will continue to monitor the situation through to completion of the sewage works calculated to be mid-June.

Clearly ongoing water sampling will be important as will an overall and thorough assessment of the health of the beach and seabed once the works are completed and before it is re-opened to the public to verify that the works have indeed effectively sealed this problem.

This latest news from La Linea, on taking responsibility for redressing this appalling situation is much welcomed by campaigners and no doubt by the local community.

Thanks to all who have helped in the campaign and/or taken steps to rectify this situation.

“ESG welcomes Gibraltar Government Statement on Sewage”

The ESG welcomes the news that the Gibraltar Government is taking up the matter of sewage from La Linea at Western Beach with la Junta de Andalucia. A resolution to this dreadful problem can not come about too soon.
However given the complications and jurisdictions involved, the ESG will also be lodging a formal complaint with the European Commission.”

2nd Protest at Western Beach SEWAGE

The second protest against Sewage at Sea which has resulted in the closure of popular Western Beach, took place this Saturday morning. A small but determined group once again protested with a number of placards on view addressing what is a marine and health issue. The campaigners aim to keep protesting alongside collecting the many signatures for a petition that will be handed to both the Chief Minister and MEP’s in Brussels.
Residents from Western Beach area have also added their voices to the call for action- in a Fact Sheet produced on the day residents say they are very concerned about the sewage they can see and smell almost daily being discharged from a storm drain from la Linea – this is affecting the local children’s ability to play outdoors and residents keeping their windows open due to the very foul smelling air almost constantly in the area now. Residents join the ESG and beach users campaigners in highlighting how we can ill afford to lose this important recreational resource.
All urge our local authorities to please act on this issue without further delay.

VERDEMAR lodge official complaint with la Junta over La Linea sewage pollution off Western Beach

Click on link below which is an article in Europa Press of a move by Spanish San Roque Group Verdemar, to lodge an official complaint with la Junta over sewage contamination off Western Beach

http://www.europasur.es/article/lalinea/833218/verdemar/denuncia/vertidos/aguas/residuales/desde/una/arqueta/situada/poniente.html

SEWAGE AFFECTS BATHERS ONCE AGAIN

ESG Press Release Friday 1st October 2010

SWIMMING IN RAW SEWAGE AT WESTERN BEACH

It has been brought to the ESG’s attention that sewage contamination at Western Beach has once again risen to alarming levels -(See below Env Agency Website Sample Results) – Members of the public were commenting to the ESG that the current situation was far worse this week than anything experienced during the summer – they could even smell faeces on their skin on exiting the water!
This shocking experience is backed up by levels of Coliforms and E.Coli present in the water at far higher levels than ever recorded before – 54,000 and 10,000 parts per 100ml respectively on the 27th September and lesser so on the following days- The group wishes to state that:
1. While the Environment Agency’s website advises mandatory and guideline levels for these contaminants its clear that the levels of faecal matter at Western Beach have this week risen to levels which are potentially very harmful to humans
2. Given the situation and the fact that people swim well past the “bathing season”, it is absolutely incumbent upon our authorities to urgently close off Western Beach to swimming and any other recreational activity
3. We suspect the source to be a new outflow on the Spanish side of the border although other possible sources have been mentioned. Regardless of the source it is also for Govt to advise of its plan on how it intends to tackle the sewage contamination and act on it.
4. ESG urges the community to stop using Western Beach until the source of the sewage pollution is identified and eliminated.

Thank you
ESG Committee

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