Golden Beach in Sesimbra resumes swimming activities
Praia do Ouro Beach Reopens after Water Quality Improves, but Questions Remain
The popular Praia do Ouro beach in Sesimbra, located on the Setúbal Peninsula, reopened to the public on Thursday following a second analysis by the Portuguese Environment Agency that showed the water quality had returned to safe levels. However, the sudden closure and subsequent reopening of the beach have raised concerns and prompted requests for investigative meetings.
The beach had been closed on Thursday due to altered water parameters, as revealed by an analysis conducted by the Portuguese Environment Agency on Tuesday. The authority suspects a direct discharge into the sea as the cause of the altered parameters.
According to Francisco Jesus, the president of the authority, SIMARSUL made two direct discharges into the sea without treatment on August 1 and 8. The volume of one of these discharges was 500 cubic meters, he stated.
Francisco Jesus has suggested a possible cause-and-effect relationship between the discharges and the altered parameters in the beach water. He expressed indignation over the delayed communication of the discharges into the sea by SIMARSUL, which happened via email on August 4 and 11.
The mayor of Sesimbra expressed concern over the disregard for immediate communication about the discharges, stating it showed a lack of responsibility. He also emphasized that a large amount of untreated water was discharged into the ocean.
The Municipal Chamber of Sesimbra will request an urgent meeting with SIMARSUL, the Administration of the Ports of Setúbal and Sesimbra, and Docapesca on Monday to discuss the incident and prevent future sudden changes affecting public safety and beach operations.
Since 2011, Praia do Ouro has held a Blue Flag, a Gold Quality Flag, and has had an "Excellent" water quality result. The unexpected reopening of the beach has caused concerns about the potential for similar incidents in the future. If the discharges had been addressed immediately, there could have been greater control over the water quality.
The investigative meetings aim to provide transparency and ensure ongoing safety at Praia do Ouro and other beaches in the area. The mayor and Francisco Jesus are committed to ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future.
[1] Source: Local News Outlets
- The incident at Praia do Ouro beach has highlighted the importance of environmental-science and sustainable-living, as direct discharges into the sea can greatly impact the water quality, potentially harming local ecosystems and public health.
- In light of the Praia do Ouro beach closure, questions have arisen about the role of science in monitoring climate-change and its effects on water quality, particularly in home-and-garden and lifestyle contexts, such as coastal communities.
- As SIMARSUL's delayed communication about direct sewage discharges into the sea affected the water quality at Praia do Ouro, it's crucial to consider environmental science and sustainable-living practices as we strive for a cleaner environment and healthier lifestyle.
