An alert has been raised for the Canary Islands due to concerning health risks identified by experts. Spain, in general, and particularly the Canary Islands, have faced criticism from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for inadequate management of urban wastewater discharges. Tenerife, a key area of concern, has been highlighted for lacking proper sewage collection systems in various locations, including Adeje, Arona, Candelaria, San Isidro, Puerto de Santiago, Playa la Arena, the Orotava Valley, and other parts of the island’s south and metropolitan area.
The CJEU recently issued a judgment citing 12 critical sites in Tenerife where wastewater management is insufficient, leading to discharges into the ocean without proper treatment and monitoring. While no penalties have been imposed yet, the Commission could enact sanctions if the situation is not promptly addressed.
The Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) has raised alarm over a health crisis, stating that Tenerife has posed health risks to residents and tourists for an extended period. In 2025, popular beaches like Playa Jardín were closed due to contamination issues, with elevated E. coli levels and sanitation deficiencies.
The ongoing problem persists without significant intervention from authorities. As of early 2026, heavy rainfall has exacerbated the issue, causing visible sewage along multiple sections of the Tenerife coastline. This problem dates back to 2019 when Spain faced substantial penalties for breaching environmental regulations related to sewage management.
Despite promised funding, the sewage and treatment facilities in Tenerife have consistently fallen short of standards, as confirmed by official data. The Canary Islands Government’s register of discharge points in 2025 revealed numerous unlicensed locations, with Tenerife having the highest number of such sites.
The Canary Islands are grappling with water scarcity, infrastructure strain, and heavy reliance on imported food, leading to their inclusion in the Fodor’s No List 2026, which highlights destinations facing unsustainable tourism pressures. Tourism, a vital industry for the Canaries, has faced challenges, including protests against overtourism and infrastructure issues.
Concerned groups like ATAN are calling for a pause in tourism expansion, increased investment in sewage treatment infrastructure, independent audits of discharge points, and stricter residency rules to manage population growth. Island officials argue that the situation has improved since 2020, with significant investments in sewage and wastewater treatment infrastructure underway.
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