Swimming is prohibited on Poza and Moitas beaches in Cascais.

The beaches of Poça and Moitas in the municipality of Cascais will be closed to swimming over the weekend due to E. coli contamination, with authorities expecting the results of counter-tests on Monday.

The ban on bathing water at the beaches of Poça in São João do Estoril and Moitas in Monte Estoril in the municipality of Cascais, Lisbon district, due to “microbiological contamination” is registered on the website of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) since Thursday.

“During the monthly analysis carried out by the APA on all bathing beaches, E.coli bacteria were detected, which was followed by a banning process that is being reviewed by the health authority, which considers it beneficial for public health,” explained Commander José Manuel Coelho of the Port Captaincy of Cascais to Lucé.

According to the port captain, in these two situations, since the beginning of the bathing season, there have already been “nine episodes of beach closures”, including Parede, Azarujinha and Rainha, and, in principle, the source of the pollution “will be from the land to the sea”, since “E. coli” “is a faecal bacterium and comes from sewage”.

“Now all the responsible bodies, in particular the City Council, the waste collection and wastewater treatment companies, as well as the APA and the Health Authority, each with their own competence, are investigating the causes,” assured José Manuel Coello.

The head of the captaincy also added that at the moment “the reasons for two or three of these episodes have been identified.” [anteriores]that overflowed the river banks after the rains that occurred recently in the summer,” because “every time it rains, this risk increases.”

Despite repeated analyses by the council, including sand, and checks of river routes and works near the sea due to the possibility of pipeline ruptures, positive results regarding the origin of the pollution affecting various beaches, he noted.

While the bathing waters are closed, bathers are warned not to swim, and lifeguards will be on duty, who, in case of disobedience, can alert the police to impose administrative fines, the amount of which “ranges from 55 to 550 euros,” explained José Manuel Coelho.

“But beyond that, human health is at stake, as these are bacteria that can cause various types of infections – respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal,” the port captain stressed.

The counter-analysis was carried out “immediately” and the commander hopes to “have the results on Monday as the lab process takes some time” and until then the ban on baths will remain in place.

The harbour master acknowledged some “concerns” about the expected heat in the coming days, which would make “it more desirable to go to the water”, but stressed the “great advantage” of having “other beaches nearby that are not closed”.

The Zero association warned on Wednesday of deteriorating water quality on Portuguese beaches, noting that 41 beaches have already been closed and 46 are off-limits for swimming this bathing season, most of them in the municipality of Cascais.