The new lake unveiled at the central plaza of Santa Cruz last Thursday is so popular with tourists and residents that they are using it as a swimming pool.
The new lake was only intended to be a feature in the Central Plaza with the occasional person maybe dipping their toes in the water but not a public swimming pool.
The vice president of the Cabildo Jose Manuel Bermudez has said that it should be common sense that the lake is not for swimming and just a feature; even so people are heading for the water with their swimming trunks and towel.
Jose Manuel Bermudez and the Cabildo are now going to enforce the bylaw (Article 128, paragraph D of the Governance of the municipality of Santa Cruz) which refers to the uses of public features like fountains and lakes, and stipulates that the public are not to drink, use water, bathe or play games in them.
Failure to abide by these rules could lead to fines of up to 300 Euros depending on the severity of the offence committed and any damage caused to the lake or surrounding area.
These Laws should have been in place and policed as soon as the lake opened so this is now becoming an issue of importance.
It will be September when the work on the lake is finally completed and it is assumed that it will be then that the ruling regarding the lake will become law and fully enforced.
The Law however, will apply immediately to the elderly and parents or guardians of children, as a matter of safety.
