A gorgeous beach famous for its golden sands and azure waters has been slapped with a “black alert” for pollution.
Playa Blanca in Lanzarote has received the depressing designation from Ecologistas en Acción due to significant environmental concerns.
The group has been highlighting environmental mismanagement in Spain since 2005 and lists the popular beach, located near Papagayo, amongst 48 others given a black flag this year.
The report cites “sewage discharges” as the primary reason for the grim warning, reports BirminghamLive. The association stressed the need to address issues such as the improper disposal of wet wipes and nappies.
Playa Blanca Beach was closed from May 4 for repairs after the sewage issue, with a red flag and restricted access during the cleanup.
The group wants the beach to rectify inadequate sewage treatment and insufficient oversight of wastewater systems which it says are destroying the region’s coastal areas.
Other beaches which have been given black flags in this year’s annual report include those in destinations such as Malaga and the Costa del Sol as well as some on the Spanish islands of Ibiza, Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Of the 48 beaches listed, 15 are suffering from overdevelopment near the coastline and 16 were said to have insufficient management of wastewater, meaning pollutants and contaminants and not effectively removed from the ocean.
Other reasons beaches have been named in the report are chemical pollution, noise pollution, industrial damage and marine waste. The ecologists also claimed that two hotels in Fuerteventura have been built in a protected area.
Lanzarote’s wider resort of Playa Blanca is a firm favourite with families with a range of great beaches and eating out together most of the year.
At the very south of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca looks out to sea towards Fuerteventura and is the newest resort on the island with an upmarket feel.
Gilly Bachelor, a personal travel consultant, told Express.co.uk that Playa Blanca is a great place to visit pretty much any time of year.
She said: “A lot of people go for winter sun, but it’s really good for summer holidays as well. It doesn’t get the peak of temperatures you see in other European destinations.”
Lanzarote itself is easy to get to with a flight time of a little over four hours and departures from Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Edinburgh. Transfer time to Playa Blanca is about 45 minutes.
Gilly added: “Playa Blanca’s a really good option for grandparents, who often want to walk to places. Though some people don’t want to leave their hotels. It’s also good for all-inclusive.”