Portugal boasts 81 beaches with zero pollution.
Portugal Boasts Increase in Zero Pollution Beaches
In a statement, environmental association ZERO confirmed that the nation's progress toward sustainable coastal areas is aligning with the objectives set in the European Green Pact and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. This year, a total of 81 Zero Pollution beaches were recognized across Portugal, marking a 12% increase from the previous year, according to data from the Portuguese Environment Agency.
The majority of the recognized beaches (55) are located on the mainland, with 20 in the Azores and six in Madeira. Compared to 2024, when 59 beaches were commended, this year sees a 3% rise in the number of designated beaches.
Notable among the municipalities with the highest number of Zero Pollution beaches are Torres Vedras, which boasts eleven such beaches, Grândola with seven, and Alcobaça with four. The association also acknowledged the unique classification of two inland beaches, Alqueidão and Montes, both located in the municipality of Tomar, Santarém district.
ZERO emphasized that while it is challenging to maintain an unblemished record in inland bathing areas, all other beaches are coastal. Additionally, various municipalities with at least one Zero Pollution Beach were added to the list, including 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 (Lisboa). Meanwhile, several municipalities, such as Leiria, Machico (Madeira), Pombal (Leiria district), and Santa Cruz das Flores (Azores), were no longer represented in the list.
As the bathing season approaches, ZERO issued warnings for entities and bathers, advising only beaches classified as bathing areas with known water quality and surveillance be frequented, with no waste left on the beach and proper waste management using selective collection. The coastal landscapes and ecosystems surrounding the bathing areas should also be preserved, avoiding the trampling of sensitive areas.
A Zero Pollution Beach is named as such based on data from the Portuguese Environment Agency, identifying beaches that consistently receive an "excellent" classification and present zero or below detection limit values in all analyses of the two microbiological parameters controlled and legislated (Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci).
Portugal is also involved in other environmental initiatives, such as implementing the Great Bubble Barrier to reduce plastic pollution in rivers, expanding beyond existing projects in the Netherlands. These endeavors demonstrate the nation's dedication to improving its environmental health.
- The association ZERO also focuses on promoting health-and-wellness by encouraging the maintenance of beaches for fitness-and-exercise, as they are classified based on excellent water quality and zero detection of harmful microbiological parameters.
- In addition to combating pollution in coastal areas, Portugal is taking strides in environmental-science to counter climate-change through projects like the Great Bubble Barrier, which aims to minimize plastic pollution in rivers.
- The success in increasing Zero Pollution beaches isn't just limited to the coast; Portugal is making progress inland as well, with the classification of two inland beaches, Alqueidão and Montes, in the municipality of Tomar, Santarém district.
