El 7 Set in english by Brenda Cundell
Alcala-Alcossebre Council sets out new technical solutions to guarantee the environmental quality of the Las Fuentes beach
On 23rd October different alternatives were presented to the municipal groups and the Alcala-Alcossebre Business Association
![[Img #75504]](http://el7set.es/upload/images/11_2019/4707_4785_2310-reunio-fonts-2.jpg)
Alcala-Alcossebre Council is proposing to carry out important technical work which could find a solution to the contamination episodes suffered during the summers of 2017 and 2019, because of high levels of E.coli on the Las Fuentes beach,. The Council has carried out inspection and control actions, both for the network of pipes and the buildings, owners’ communities, etc. but they have been unable to establish the origin yet. Also, various sewer system renovations have taken place in the Las Fuentes area but the variable indications of the contamination and the fact that it could come directly from the south natural springs – the route of which is difficult to find and analyse – complicates finding the direct cause and its origin. “All the experts agree in saying that it is very complicated to find the origin and we could examine the sewage pipes “inch by inch” and renew them and still not solve the problem. Therefore, to prevent any new contamination episodes happening, we are looking at an idea which the tourism business people explained to us and we have asked the experts to tell us what alternatives we have”. These alternatives were presented on 23rd October to the municipal groups and representatives of the Alcala-Alcossebre Business Association.
The experts were able to offer three possible solutions: the collection and treatment of the waters arising from the south springs, installing a subterranean tank to confine the waters and carry them to the sewers. Secondly, to build an ovoid pool in the vicinity of the south breakwater – with aesthetic treatment based on breakwater stones and elements which would prevent access to swimmers – and submit the waters to a disinfection and UV treatment, so that it could then flow into the sea. And, finally, to build two pools, in this case one for the south springs and the other to use the same system with the central and north springs.
Any of these alternatives would avoid having to have recourse to the urgent solution adopted in 2017 and 2019, which is the installation of a provisional reservoir on the beach from which to collect the water and pump it to the sewer network.
All the council municipal groups were urged to carry out their proposals and suggestions, in view of this previous report and the next step will be to request a meeting with the Provincial Coastal Service to explain these possible actions to them as, should they be carried out, it would be necessary to have the authorisation of this body.
Mayor Francisco Juan insisted that “we shall continue investigating to find out why there is this contamination but,, with these solutions, we avoid the water reaching the sea and having to close the beach and all the negative repercussions that this brings to our tourism sector” and he concluded by explaining that “once we are given the appropriate authorisations, we shall seek assistance for financing it from other administrations”.
Alcala-Alcossebre Council is proposing to carry out important technical work which could find a solution to the contamination episodes suffered during the summers of 2017 and 2019, because of high levels of E.coli on the Las Fuentes beach,. The Council has carried out inspection and control actions, both for the network of pipes and the buildings, owners’ communities, etc. but they have been unable to establish the origin yet. Also, various sewer system renovations have taken place in the Las Fuentes area but the variable indications of the contamination and the fact that it could come directly from the south natural springs – the route of which is difficult to find and analyse – complicates finding the direct cause and its origin. “All the experts agree in saying that it is very complicated to find the origin and we could examine the sewage pipes “inch by inch” and renew them and still not solve the problem. Therefore, to prevent any new contamination episodes happening, we are looking at an idea which the tourism business people explained to us and we have asked the experts to tell us what alternatives we have”. These alternatives were presented on 23rd October to the municipal groups and representatives of the Alcala-Alcossebre Business Association.
The experts were able to offer three possible solutions: the collection and treatment of the waters arising from the south springs, installing a subterranean tank to confine the waters and carry them to the sewers. Secondly, to build an ovoid pool in the vicinity of the south breakwater – with aesthetic treatment based on breakwater stones and elements which would prevent access to swimmers – and submit the waters to a disinfection and UV treatment, so that it could then flow into the sea. And, finally, to build two pools, in this case one for the south springs and the other to use the same system with the central and north springs.
Any of these alternatives would avoid having to have recourse to the urgent solution adopted in 2017 and 2019, which is the installation of a provisional reservoir on the beach from which to collect the water and pump it to the sewer network.
All the council municipal groups were urged to carry out their proposals and suggestions, in view of this previous report and the next step will be to request a meeting with the Provincial Coastal Service to explain these possible actions to them as, should they be carried out, it would be necessary to have the authorisation of this body.
Mayor Francisco Juan insisted that “we shall continue investigating to find out why there is this contamination but,, with these solutions, we avoid the water reaching the sea and having to close the beach and all the negative repercussions that this brings to our tourism sector” and he concluded by explaining that “once we are given the appropriate authorisations, we shall seek assistance for financing it from other administrations”.
