Two beaches in Xàbia will fly Blue Flags during the summer of 2025
For another year, the sandy beach of the Arenal misses out.
The Environmental and Consumer Education Association (ADEAC) has confirmed the beaches of the Comunidad Valenciana over which blue flags that will fly this coming summer and two of of Xàbia’s beaches have once again been afforded the treasured status, recognizing their excellent water quality, safety, environmental management, and services.
The beaches of La Grava and Cala Granadella are thetwo beaches that will maintain this distinction, an award that has been held by both for several consecutive years. However, the Playa del Arenal, which had also flown a Blue Flag in previous years, has still not yet be able to recover the distinction.
Xàbia Mayor, Rosa Cardona, explained that Arenal beach has not been able to regain its Blue Flag status due to pending work on the outfall. “Although the water quality analyses are positive, regulations establish that if work is underway in the area, the distinction cannot be awarded,” she explained, adding that the outfall is pending the installation of diffusers.
The regional government recently announced a €1,5 million investment to renovate the underwater outfalls in various towns in the Comunidad Valenciana, including Xàbia. The investment is part of a plan to ensure the proper functioning and safety of these treatment systems that discharge treated water into the sea, in order to protect the environment and the quality of the receiving waters.
In the case of Xàbia, in addition to repairing the current underwater outfall, a completely new one will be built which will be located at a different point from Arenal beach. This new outfall will be located behind the Parador, in the Punta de l’Arenal area (Cala del Ministro), further away from the beach and eliminating the risk of massive coastal pollution.
This is a new chapter in the recent history of Arenal beach, which, following the pollution incident caused by the burst outfall in 2022, lost blue flag status and has been unable to regain it in subsequent years. Although environmental conditions have improved, pending construction work remains an obstacle to regaining the recognition.
In addition to the beaches, Club Náutico Jávea will also receive the Blue Flag distinction in the Ports category, a recognition that values quality and sustainability in port facilities.
