Playa De Les Botigues Pm1

Spain Coastal 1 - Excellent

Platja de les Botigues is a sandy beach located in Sitges, Barcelona, within a semi-urban environment on the Mediterranean coast. The beach is 1,404 metres long with an average width of 116 metres and a surface area of 159,738 square metres. The sand is fine (D50 = 0.22 mm) with a moderate water entry slope. The beach experiences high occupancy levels during summer and is oriented towards the south-southeast.

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Water

Mediterranean Sea coastal waters belonging to water mass C22 (El Prat de Llobregat–Castelldefels). The area has moderate continental influence with average salinity ranging from 37.1 to 38.5 psu. Average water temperatures are 20.8 °C in June, 24.6 °C in July, 25.6 °C in August, and 24.3 °C in September. Significant wave height averages 0.74 metres with a mean period of 6 seconds. Predominant winds are weak southwesterly; predominant sea state is rippled. The coastal circulation is cyclonic with currents parallel to the continental coast and a north-eastward current.

Location

Sitges, Barcelona, in the comarca of Garraf, Catalonia, Spain. The beach extends from the Cova-Fumada street in the north towards Castelldefels and is bounded by Port Ginesta in the south. The municipality of Sitges has 27,668 inhabitants.

Season

First week of June to third week of September. Microbiological monitoring is conducted weekly (every Saturday) during 17 consecutive weeks. Environmental inspections occur a minimum of three times weekly.

Water Quality

Water quality is monitored weekly by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) according to EU Directive 2006/7/CE. Microbiological indicators monitored are Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. Environmental inspections evaluate water transparency, colouration, floating human solids, marine and terrestrial plant remains, foam, phytoplankton patches, hydrocarbons, and jellyfish presence. Wastewater from Sitges is treated at the Gavà/Viladecans treatment plant, which provides biological treatment and discharges through a submarine outfall located at Gavà beach.

Risks

The Torrent d'Aigua Puda and Riera de Vallbona constitute the main sources of freshwater discharge into the bathing area during rainfall. The area has a high Hydrological Response Velocity Index (VRH), indicating rapid hydrological response to precipitation events. Phytoplankton proliferations can occur, though in most cases they form coloured patches without risk to swimmers; toxic species are monitored under a management and information protocol.