Playa De Las Arenas Pm1

Spain Transitional 3 - Sufficient

Playa de Las Arenas is a 240-metre urban beach located in the external part of the Nerbioi estuary in Getxo, Bizkaia, Spain. The beach has an area of 12,590 m² at low tide and 4,950 m² at high tide, with fine sand composition and a northwest orientation. It is protected by the sports harbour breakwater and experiences calm waters with low wave exposure. The beach is managed jointly by the Getxo municipal government and the Department of Environment of the Bizkaia Provincial Council.

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Water

External portion of the Nerbioi estuary. Length: 240 m. Average width: 25 m. Area at low tide: 12,590 m². Area at high tide: 4,950 m². Tidal amplitude: 4.80 m. Minimum tidal range: 1 m. Water renewal time: more than 7 days. Tidal currents reach maximum values of approximately 20 cm/s in the channel between the beach and the sports harbour.

Location

Located in Getxo, Bizkaia, Spain, between the Real Club Náutico del Abra and the Churruca pier. Urban parking area is available adjacent to the beach.

Facilities

Public toilets and washbasins; 3 showers and 1 drinking fountain on the beach; 15 rubbish bins; 2 lifeguards; 2 Hondartzainas (beach monitors); first aid kit; medical equipment available by telephone; identification bracelets for lost children; bicycle racks; urban parking area.

Water Quality

Water quality classification for 2008 was INSUFFICIENT; improved to SUFFICIENT in 2009 and 2010 under Directive 2006/7/CE criteria. 14% of individual control samples exceeded the limit values for sufficient classification (500 NMP/100 ml for E. coli and 185 NMP/100 ml for intestinal enterococci). Perishore hygiene-sanitary conditions were rated as IMPROVABLE in 2008 and GOOD in 2009 and 2010.

Risks

Main pollution sources include urban wastewater treated at Galindo wastewater treatment plant and discharged into the Galindo river approximately 6.5 km upstream; industrial discharges from diverse chemical, steel, energy, and food processing facilities; Bilbao port and sports harbour activities including ship discharges, dredged sediments, and introduction of alien species; maritime traffic; shipyards and boat launching facilities; numerous storm overflow pipes in the surrounding area.