FOR many beachgoers in Spain, a quick shower to wash the sand away before heading home is an essential – and costless – part of the routine.
But on one beach in Andalucia, visitors are now forced to pay for the privilege.
A new pay-per-use shower has appeared at Matalascañas beach on the Costa de la Luz in the province of Huelva, prompting anger among regular swimmers and sunbathers.
The so-called ‘smart shower’ is located near the four-star ON Hotel and is part of a pilot scheme developed by Almonte town council, which they hope to extend to other parts of the beach.
Users can turn the water on by either inserting coins into a machine or scanning a QR code on their mobile phone to pay via a website, with the shower understood to cost €0.30 per minute.
The local council says the aim of the pilot scheme is to encourage more sustainable water use by reducing waste, especially during drought conditions.
But critics say the scheme amounts to the ‘privatisation’ of basic facilities that should remain free to beachgoers.
The shower has gone viral on social media, where videos showing how it works have attracted thousands of views and triggered a flurry of heated debate.
“Soon there’ll be a toll to go for a swim,” said one user.
“Next they’ll charge you to enter the beach,” joked another.
During the trial period, visitors are being encouraged to provide feedback on the shower.
Developers hope the project could become a model for innovative, water-saving beach infrastructure.
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