Red flags have been flying since Wednesday morning on the beaches of Quarteira and Vilamoura in the Algarve due to possible sewage pollution in Vilamoura harbour, a source from the Faro Port Authority said on Wednesday.
According to the commander of the vessel, Captain Mário Figueiredo, the decision was taken after receiving a message from the Portuguese Environmental Protection Agency (APA) stating that the Quarteira pumping station was discharging wastewater into the Vilamoura marina in the municipality of Loulé.
“We are faced with potential water pollution [para banhos]”That’s why we raised the red flags,” Mário Figueiredo told Lusa, referring to the beaches east and west of the Vilamoura Marina bar.
According to maritime authorities, the APA “advised against swimming at adjacent beaches.”
The commander is now awaiting the results of water tests conducted by the APA before allowing the several thousand people holidaying in the region to swim again.
“I want to believe that the APA will quickly confirm this situation,” he added.
On the other hand, the maritime authorities said the ban “has nothing to do” and is a “separate case” from the decision taken on Tuesday to ban swimming at Fuseta Ria beach, in the municipality of Olhão, and at Armação de Pera in the municipality of Silves, also in the Algarve, due to microbiological contamination of the water.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.