The report of the presence of bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and Enterococcus was made by a group called Friends of Pelhe, after they funded bacteriological analyses at a laboratory, which confirmed their “worst fears.” The area has agricultural operations and dairy farms, in addition to the color and smell coming from the Guizande River.
When contacted, the Famalicão city council and the Union of Parishes of Arnoso (Santa Maria and Santa Eulália) and Sezures, who publicly promoted the site and encouraged visits to the leisure space, claim to be unaware of the situation.
The parish council manages the space, stating on its website that “the river beach has become one of the most attractive points of the parish,” adding that “the beach area includes a large area with green spaces to enjoy a picnic and a beach support establishment, which also functions as a bar.”
“We don’t promote or encourage bathing. We promote the location, the leisure park, the Santa Eulália Monastery (Arnoso). People know that the use of water is entirely their responsibility,” the Parish Council President told Lusa, clarifying that it is not “a river beach,” but rather an area where gates/dams were placed to hold water for irrigation.
Jorge Amaral mentions the existence of a sign at the site with the warning “Uncontrolled water,” admitting that the parish council “never” requested bacteriological analyses, as “the responsibility for rivers does not lie with the parish councils,” but with the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
After learning about the results of the Friends of Pelhe analyses on Wednesday, Jorge Amaral revealed that “the gates were opened.” “The dam was emptied and is now empty. It didn’t have much water, and now it only has the water flowing in the river, which is very little. There will be no more bathing this year, as there is no flow. Next year, bathing will be prohibited,” the mayor assures.
On August 6, the Famalicão municipality made a social media post promoting the leisure space. On July 30, the mayor, Mário Passos (PSD), posted about the hot days in Arnoso, accompanied by a photo of people, including children, enjoying the river.
The municipality explains that the publications were only intended to promote the leisure space and other locations throughout the county. Upon learning of the analyses, they consulted technical services and informed the Parish Union, requesting the prohibition of access to the water until the situation is fully clarified. They also immediately informed the APA and requested an investigation and adoption of necessary measures to resolve the issue.
Lusa questioned the APA but has not received responses yet. According to information on the APA website about bathing areas, this space in Famalicão is not listed as a river beach.
