Brits face a nightmare holiday after 26 vile sewage spills contaminated Ibiza’s famous beaches over the summer, triggering severe health fears and red-flag bathing bans
Brits face holiday nightmare in Ibiza after 26 vile sewage spills contaminated the island’s famous beaches over the summer, triggering health panics and emergency red-flag bathing bans. Sunseekers were ordered out of the sea as the party island’s overloaded, ageing sewage infrastructure buckled under a barrage of heavy tourism and sudden torrential rainstorms.
In one incident, a chunk of iron jammed inside a major sewer pump at popular s’Arenal beach in Sant Antoni, spewing raw, untreated wastewater directly into the sea.
The leak forced a strict 12-day swimming ban until water tests finally cleared. Other sunbathing hotspots like Cala Tarida, Cala de Bou, and even protected waters in the Ses Salines Natural Park were reportedly hit by the foul stench of human waste after drainage systems overflowed.
At the airport, a wastewater treatment facility malfunction caused repeated leaks near es Codolar beach. Official water tests reportedly revealed stomach-churning spikes in dangerous E. coli and intestinal enterococci bacteria – faecal bugs that cause nasty gastroenteritis and skin infections.
Environmental monitoring group Salvem sa Badia de Portmany slammed the island’s crumbling network. The group warned the discharges were caused by severe “deficiencies in the wastewater system” and confirmed water samples were found to “exceed applicable bathing-water thresholds”, Ibiza One Stop reported.
Regional water agency ABAQUA previously carried out “preventive cleaning of pumping facilities” ahead of the summer rush, but the island’s antiquated drainage networks failed to keep pace. Sant Antoni Town Hall insisted some of its own official analyses “did not detect faecal contamination” during disputed September incidents.
However, with surrounding nations and health experts raising the alarm over repeated beach closures, local councils were forced to ban bathing to protect public safety.
In other Ibiza news, Jack Kay, 26, the Ibiza Final Boss, said he still gets stopped for selfies up to 15 times a day after going viral for his clubbing antics.
Jack also admitted he has felt a constant pressure to remain “relevant” and stay “on the map” since shooting to online fame last year. But nothing will stop him from his “mission”, the Daily Star previously reported.
He became an internet sensation when footage of his bob haircut and confident swagger on a dancefloor in the party island began circulating on the internet.
The Geordie raver has remained in the public eye ever since with a string of TV appearances and celebrity boxing bouts. He said he can hardly leave the house without getting recognised for his unique look.
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