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The Estany and Riuet spring, Coma-ruga

The spring

The Estany and Riuet spring is the beach of Coma-ruga, in the township of El Vendrell (Baix Penedès, Tarragona). The spring source is located in an area of limestone rock on the Bonastre massif, and descends deep into the faults that delimit the tectonic valley of the Penedès, until it emerges at Coma-ruga, where it rises spontaneously to the surface. This entire area has now been developed but previously this water source formed many thermal ponds. For this reason, the site was called “calders” (cauldron).

In the 19th century it was discovered that this spring had waters with medical properties and a constant temperature between 18 and 21º C. Due to the discovery of these special waters, a luxurious spa was built in the 1920s, which also marked the beginning of the development of the town now known as Coma-ruga.

At present, the water from the spring is channelled into an ornamental fountain, where it passes on to the Estany and from there to the Riuet, ending up on the beach. All year round one can see people of all ages bathing in the spring and taking advantage of its healing properties.

Therapeutic properties

The high concentration of chlorinated sodium salts that this water contains makes it unacceptable for food use, but it is perfect for external therapeutic use. In 1982, tt was declared a medicinal mineral water in a report issued by the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery in Barcelona. In 1919, Dr. August Pi Sunyer determined that, due to its properties, this water should be classified as bromine, alkaline, chlorinated, almost isotonic spa water.

This water is used externally in baths to cure all types of pain, including joint, bone and rheumatic pain and inflammation, lumbar and sciatic processes. It also aids in healing skin diseases (psoriasis, eczemas, scarring, etc.), while at the same time, toning and relaxing the nervous system.

Considering the special properties of these waters, its therapeutic qualities can also be used to advantage on Coma-ruga Beach.

The Estany and Riuet spring

The bottom of the Riuet river is covered in sand from the beach, carried there by the wind. The constant and intense currents prevent the accumulation of mud and algae on itse bed. Because of this, the bottom is not slippery, which, together with the shallowness of the water, makes it an ideal place for people, both young and old, to safely practise spa therapy activities.

Although the Estany of Coma-ruga is a natural lake, it was developed years ago and the bottom was covered in artificial flagstones (through which the water emerges), covered with spontaneous vegetation, such as seaweed and phanerogams. As for the fauna of the Estany and the Riuet, there are many species of fish that cannot be caught. The most common of these are species such as carp, mullet, river eel and some tiny crustaceans.

Chemical composition (Analysis conducted by the laboratory of Dr. Oliver Rodés (1919))

Calcium bicarbonate	0,1317 g/l
Magnesium bicarbonate	0,2956 g/l
Sodium bicarbonate	0,3228 g/l
Ferrous bicarbonate	0,0127 g/l
Sodium bromide	0,0159 g/l
Magnesium chloride	0,4152 g/l
Potassium chloride	0,3159 g/l
Sodium chloride	0,1312 g/l
Silicon	0,1254 g/l
Calcium sulphate	0,1735 g/l
Magnesium sulphate	0,3613 g/l

El Vendrell was declared a Spa Town by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces in 2004.