Lisbon, May 30, (Lusa) - A leading Portuguese environmental group has certified 81 Zero Pollution beaches in 39 municipalities on the mainland and the islands of Madeira and the Azores, 22 more than in 2024, it was announced on Friday.
In a statement, Zero - Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável (Sustainable Earth System Association) reveals that the goal achieved this year "is truly what is desired on a European scale within the framework of the European Green Deal, particularly within the framework of the [European Union's] Zero Pollution Action Plan."
This year 81 Zero Pollution beaches were recognised across the country, in 39 municipalities, which represents 12% of the total of 673 bathing waters.
Of the 81 beaches identified, 55 are located on the mainland, 20 in the Azores and six in Madeira.
Compared to 2024, when 59 beaches were recognised, there was a 3% increase in representation.
In terms of balance, 19 beaches were removed from the list last year and 41 new ones were added.
The municipalities with the highest number of Zero Pollution beaches are Torres Vedras (11 beaches), in the Lisbon district, Grândola (seven beaches), in the Setúbal district, and Alcobaça (four beaches), in the Leiria district.
Zero highlights the classification of two inland beaches, Alqueidão and Montes, both located in the municipality of Tomar, in the district of Santarém.
"It should be noted that it is extremely difficult to achieve an unblemished record over three years in inland bathing areas, which are much more susceptible to microbiological pollution," the association states. "With the exception of two inland beaches, all the rest of the beaches are on the coast."
The organisation also highlights the fact that the municipalities of Angra do Heroísmo (Azores), Grândola (Setúbal), Ílhavo (Aveiro), Lajes das Flores (Azores), Lourinhã (Leiria), Olhão (Faro), Peniche (Leiria), Santa Cruz (Madeira), Santiago do Cacém (Setúbal), Sines (Setúbal), Tomar (Santarém) and Torres Vedras (Lisbon) have joined the list of municipalities with at least one Zero Pollution Beach.
The municipalities of Leiria, Machico (Madeira), Pombal (Leiria district) and Santa Cruz das Flores (Azores) are no longer represented.
Two days before the opening of the official bathing season on Sunday, Zero is issuing a few warnings to organisations and bathers.
"For environmental and safety reasons, only beaches classified as bathing areas should be frequented, where the water quality is known and where there is surveillance, no waste should be left on the beach and, whenever possible, it should be sent through selective collection and the landscape and ecosystems surrounding bathing areas should be preserved, avoiding trampling dunes and other sensitive areas," it advises.
A Zero Pollution beach is certified on the basis of data from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), which identifies the beaches that, over the last three bathing seasons (in this case, 2021, 2022 and 2023), not only always had an 'excellent’ classification, but also showed values of zero or less than the detection limit in all the analyses carried out on the two microbiological parameters monitored and provided for in the legislation.
FAC/ARO // ARO.
Lusa
