Beach Gold in Sesimbra resumes swimming activities following brief prohibition
In the picturesque town of Sesimbra, located in the Setúbal district, the popular Ouro Beach was reopened on Friday, following a brief closure earlier in the week. The closure was prompted by altered water quality parameters detected in a routine analysis conducted by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) on Tuesday.
The analysis revealed possible contamination, which was linked to two unauthorized direct discharges of untreated wastewater into the sea on August 1 and 8. These discharges were managed by SIMARSUL, the operator of the multi-municipal sewage system for the Setúbal Peninsula.
Although SIMARSUL maintains that their treated discharges comply with legal standards, the direct connection to the beach contamination is considered a possible cause. As a precautionary measure, the beach was closed to bathing at the end of the day on Thursday.
Following the closure, measures were taken to address the issue. The Municipality of Sesimbra has convened meetings with SIMARSUL, the Administration of Setúbal and Sesimbra Ports, and Docapesca to discuss and prevent future incidents of non-compliant discharges. SIMARSUL, in turn, plans to work with the municipality to adopt measures to prevent unauthorized waste from entering the drainage system.
Fortunately, the follow-up water tests conducted after the closure showed conditions consistent with safe bathing. This, coupled with the ongoing commitment to environmental standards, allowed the beach to reopen quickly. Ouro Beach has maintained its Blue Flag and Gold Quality Flag status since 2011, with excellent water quality assessed since this time.
The Sesimbra Municipal Chamber will request an urgent meeting on Monday to clarify the situation regarding the altered parameters at Ouro Beach and prevent any recurrence of such incidents. The community can take comfort in the proactive steps being taken to ensure the continued safety and cleanliness of this beloved beach.
