It’s always worrying when you’re swimming in the sea and suddenly you notice a suspiciously warm patch of water. You hope it’s just a warm current - but then you notice a look of relief on the swimmer nearby.
A resort in Spain is taking a stance against this off-putting habit. Swimmers off the of coast of Vigo in the north of Spain could be issued with fines of 750 euros (£650) if they use the sea as a toilet.
The city council there said that public urination goes against ‘hygiene and sanitary regulations’. Town officials said public toilets are being installed on beaches during the high season, and this could see temporary facilities in place to ensure a more pleasant bathing environment for people, the Express reports.
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It is one of a number of strict rules the city, in Galicia, that have been announced. Spain has also said local authorities would impose fines for anyone inappropriately dressed on the street.
This means holidaymakers have to make sure they get dressed before leaving the beach as, under the new rule, Britons who don't cover up could be fined. This includes women seen wearing only a bikini or swimsuit and men without a top.
The country is also planning to fine anyone who leaves rubbish behind as well as people who bring a gas cylinder or barbeque to the beach.
But some people are sceptical of how the new rule could be enforced, The Telegraph reported. It quoted Twitter user Pedro L Sierra saying: “How easy it is to issue prohibitions and how difficult to enforce them."
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