A breakdown in the wastewater pumping station contaminated Mirandela beach.

According to Mirandela City Council, this station is "three kilometers upstream" from this bathing area, and the breakdown led to water contamination, with tests revealing "high levels of intestinal enterococci and/or e.coli," making bathing in the water unadvisable for over a week.

The results of the analyses were released on September 3rd and on that day the Portuguese Environment Agency and the municipality announced that bathing on the beach would be inadvisable.

The municipality told Lusa that it has already repaired the system. However, due to the low flow of the Tua River, water regeneration is more difficult, "extending the time needed to restore quality levels." Therefore, the counter-analysis conducted last week still showed values ​​unsuitable for swimming.

This week, two more counter-analyses will be carried out by the municipality and the APA, to determine whether the water quality “meets the parameters required for bathing,” the city council explained to Lusa.

The Albino Mendo river beach is located in the center of Mirandela and has been awarded the Blue Flag for its water quality, cleanliness, and environmental management. This distinction is awarded based on application and compliance with several criteria. It lasts for a bathing season.