The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has advised against swimming since Tuesday, September 1st, at three beaches in Póvoa de Varzim due to microbiological water contamination. The affected beaches are Codixeira, Lagoa, and Zona Urbana Sul II, which currently have contamination alerts according to APA's InfoÁgua platform.
The decision to advise against swimming results from the detection of elevated levels of intestinal enterococci and/or Escherichia coli (E. coli), bacteria used as indicators of microbiological water quality and whose presence may represent risks to public health.
The measure is precautionary and will remain in effect until new laboratory analyses confirm that the required water quality parameters for swimming have been restored. Authorities recommend that swimmers respect the existing signage on the affected beaches and follow the updated information provided by APA.
The alert comes at a time when thousands of people continue to frequent the municipality's beaches, taking advantage of the favorable weather conditions at the beginning of September.
