Circus in Arrecife Faces Investigation Over Alleged Sewage Dumping
Residents’ complaints about a persistent foul smell have led to a police inspection at a circus site in Arrecife, where officers reportedly discovered wastewater being discharged into the ground.
A circus operating near the Vía Medular in Arrecife, Lanzarote, is facing an administrative sanction after Local Police reportedly found sewage being discharged into the subsoil.
The investigation began after local residents complained about unpleasant smells around the site. Officers subsequently inspected the privately owned plot and reportedly found a large trench receiving wastewater from the circus caravans and other facilities.
Wastewater allegedly pumped into the ground
According to information released by Arrecife authorities, police discovered a network of pipes leading towards the trench.
The site is close to Las Salinas and the Vía Medular, an area which has an existing public sewage network. Authorities say the wastewater was nevertheless being directed into the ground rather than into the sewerage system.
The circus is operating on private land close to the Palace of Justice in Arrecife, while the company responsible is registered in Telde, Gran Canaria.
Possible breaches of Canary Islands environmental law
The police report cites Articles 38.2.c, 38.2.d and 38.2.e of the Canary Islands Waste Law, concerning the uncontrolled dumping or disposal of waste and situations that could cause serious damage to natural resources.
It is important to stress that the investigation is ongoing and that the reported allegations should not be treated as a final court finding.
SEPRONA to assess possible criminal responsibility
Because of the seriousness of the alleged dumping and concerns that it may have happened more than once, Arrecife Town Hall intends to refer the case to SEPRONA, the Guardia Civil’s environmental protection service.
SEPRONA will assess whether there could be potential criminal responsibility, while the municipality continues with the administrative proceedings and considers any applicable sanctions.
Why this matters in Lanzarote
Wastewater management is an important environmental issue on an island such as Lanzarote, where protecting natural resources is particularly significant for both residents and the tourism industry.
For visitors, there is currently no indication that this specific incident affects Arrecife’s beaches, tourist attractions or the island’s drinking-water supply. The reported incident concerns a particular private site near the Vía Medular.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the exact amount of wastewater involved, how long the alleged dumping continued or whether measurable contamination of the surrounding ground has occurred.
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