Suspected pollution in a Casares stream has been referred to court, raising questions about its impact on the local environment and whether nearby residents could be affected.
The allegations concern the Arroyo de Enmedio, where environmental group Verdemar says contaminated liquid has been discharged from the Complejo Ambiental Costa del Sol waste treatment centre.
According to Verdemar, Junta de Andalucia technicians observed abundant foam and reddish colouring in the stream during an inspection in March. Those changes were not present upstream of the waste facility.
The suspected pollutant is leachate – a liquid that can pick up contaminants as it passes through waste.
Its potential effects depend on what substances it contains, their concentrations and where the affected water flows.
For residents, the unresolved questions include how far any pollution has travelled and whether it could affect land, wildlife or water used downstream.
The waste treatment centre receives household rubbish from 11 Costa del Sol municipalities. It is operated by Urbaser and owned by the association of western Costa del Sol municipalities.
Environmental prosecutors have now filed a complaint with an Estepona court after a requested Guardia Civil investigation report failed to arrive within the maximum period allowed for their preliminary inquiries.
The referral asks the court to consider whether a criminal offence may have occurred. It does not establish wrongdoing or determine who is responsible.
Prosecutors had asked Seprona, the Guardia Civil’s environmental protection service, to investigate in March.
Verdemar said Seprona inspected the site and collected samples in January 2026, with regional government technicians taking further samples in March.
The group is demanding disclosure of the findings so the source, persistence and potential environmental impact of the discharges can be established.
It is also considering joining the court proceedings to press for answers and protection for the Casares stream.
There is no suggestion at the time of reporting that drinking water or water supplies in Casares have been affected.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
