Many people will have experienced a suspiciously warm patch of sea while on a foreign holiday. Hopes that it may be just a warm current fading when you see a relieved looking face on someone standing in the water near you.
But if anyone wants to relieve themselves in the sea off the coast of Vigo in the north of Spain, they will have to think twice before doing a number one under the water. The city council there has said that public urination goes against ‘hygiene and sanitary regulations’ and said it will issues fines of 750 euros (£640) to anyone using the sea as a toilet, the Express reports.
Town officials said public toilets are being installed on beaches during the high season. This could see temporary facilities in place to ensure a more pleasant bathing environment for people.
It is one of a number of strict rules the city, in Galicia, that have been announced. Spain has 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.”