Beach in Algarve resumes operations
News Article: Seawater Contamination at Faro District Beaches Lifted
The swimming ban at Praia Verde, Alagoa-Altura beach, and Verde Lago beach in Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal, has been lifted following a second round of bathing water quality analysis. The contamination, which was initially detected on Tuesday, August 4, 2025, was caused by sewage discharge from the EE DE FONTE SANTA, Vila Nova De Cacela sewage pumping station.
The contaminated water flowed downstream to the affected beaches via current, leading to the microbiological contamination above the reference limit in the bathing water quality analysis collected on Monday, August 4, 2025. The city government immediately communicated the contamination on August 5, 2025, leading to the immediate ban on bathing and the placement of red flags on the beaches as a preventive health measure.
Health concerns arose, including an incident of a 9-year-old child rescued unconscious from the water at Altura beach, connected with the timing of the contamination report. However, after the second analysis results showed that the source of pollution no longer exists, the swimming ban was lifted on August 6, 2025.
The municipality of Castro Marim, which has jurisdiction over the coast where these beaches are located, has not yet revealed the cause of the contamination. Teams were dispatched by the municipality to determine the source of the contamination, but the investigation is still ongoing.
The beaches, which are part of a tourist and real estate complex located in the district of Faro, can now be reopened. The city government clarified that the green flags were raised at the beaches at 3:30 p.m. on August 6, 2025.
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Despite the recent news about seawater contamination, the beaches in Faro District's tourist and real estate complex are now safe for outdoor-living activities like swimming and sunbathing. As a result, the municipal government has reopened the affected beaches, signaling a return to normal life for those seeking a lifestyle of home-and-garden relaxation by the sea.
