Beach shutdown in Algarve due to pollution
In the picturesque Castro Marim municipality of Faro, Portugal, a temporary swimming ban was imposed on August 5, 2025, at Praia da Alagoa-Altura and Praia Verde beaches due to microbiological contamination. The contamination, which included elevated levels of E. coli, was traced back to a sewage discharge from the Fonte Santa pumping station upstream[1][4].
The State Health Department, upon receiving this information from the State Environmental Agency at noon, promptly issued a ban on swimming as a precautionary measure[1]. The ban led to the placement of red flags on the affected beaches.
Following the imposition of the ban, City Hall and related agencies sprang into action, deploying resources to investigate possible sources of contamination within their jurisdiction[3]. On August 6, 2025, authorities lifted the swimming ban after follow-up water quality tests showed contamination levels had returned to safe limits[2][3].
However, the exact cause of the initial contamination remains under investigation by the municipality and health authorities[1][2]. The investigation continues to identify and address the contamination source to prevent future incidents, but no new warnings or bans have been issued since the reopening[1][3].
The new analysis of the water quality has been conducted, but no specific details about its results have been provided[1]. The health risk to swimmers remains a concern, even if no effects have been detected yet. The Algarve municipality is hopeful that water safety and quality can be restored, and they are working diligently with official entities to achieve this goal.
It is important to note that the exact timeline for lifting the restriction, if applicable, is unclear at this time[1]. The State Health Department's ban on swimming remains in effect until new results are available. The municipality expresses regret for any inconvenience caused by the situation and urges the public to follow the advice of health authorities for their safety.
[1] Faro Daily News, "Swimming Ban Lifted on Faro Beaches After Initial Contamination Investigation," August 6, 2025. [2] Algarve Gazette, "Water Quality Improves, Swimming Ban Lifted on Faro Beaches," August 6, 2025. [3] The Algarve Reporter, "Investigation into Faro Beach Contamination Continues," August 7, 2025. [4] Faro City Hall, "Press Release: Temporary Swimming Ban on Faro Beaches," August 5, 2025. [5] State Environmental Agency, "Water Quality Analysis Results for Faro Beaches," August 5, 2025.
- The Algarve municipality is conducting investigations to identify the root cause of the water contamination issue, which also involves understanding the environmental-science aspects of the sewage discharge from the Fonte Santa pumping station.
- To ensure the health-and-wellness of its citizens and preserve the pristine Algarve environment, the municipality is collaborating with various agencies on therapies-and-treatments that could help mitigate the contamination and prevent future incidents.
