Nazaré Beach Remains Closed for Swimming Pending Further Water Examinations
Contamination Incident at Nazaré Beach: Sewage Discharge Causes Health Concerns
Nazaré Beach, a popular destination for swimmers and surfers in Portugal, has been hit by a series of sewage-related incidents in August 2025. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday, August 12, leading to the beach's closure once again.
The discharge of wastewater, which lasted for about an hour and a half, was caused by a technical fault and an obstruction in the sewage system. This resulted in the contamination of the coastal waters, causing concern over public health and water safety.
The beach was initially closed on August 1, 2025, due to a similar incident. However, it was reopened on August 2 after water quality analyses confirmed the seawater was clean, clear, and free from macroscopic organic matter.
The latest closure is a precautionary measure while samples are collected for further testing by the National Institute of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jorge. Preliminary analyses of water samples from Nazaré Beach revealed "very high levels of contamination" in two of the three collection points closest to the sewage discharge.
Over 100 people, including many children, sought hospital treatment in early August due to the contamination. Symptoms included nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with most cases being mild gastroenteritis. However, the ULS of Leiria has reported no increase in the number of people seeking emergency services with gastrointestinal symptoms as a result of the current bathing ban.
The emergency services of Leiria, Alcobaça, and Pombal are on alert and monitoring any cases. The Department of Public Health of Leiria made the announcement about the high levels of contamination in a statement. The Municipality of Nazaré is also considering the possibility of sabotage in the sewage pipe.
The sewage system in Nazaré is about 60 years old and requires replacement. The northern part of the beach was closed to bathing on Tuesday due to the blockage in the sewage pipe near Praça Manuel Arriaga. The beach remains closed to bathing until the results of the new tests on water quality are known.
The Municipality of Nazaré is coordinating with the competent authorities and awaits the results of the new analyses on Thursday. The ULS of Leiria is advising against contact with the water to prevent any further incidents.
[1] Leiria Municipality press release, August 1, 2025. [2] Leiria Municipality press release, August 12, 2025. [3] ULS of Leiria press release, August 3, 2025. [4] ULS of Leiria press release, August 3, 2025.
- The incident at Nazaré Beach, affecting both swimmers and surfers, has highlighted the significance of environmental-science in preventing similar situations.
- In light of the ongoing bathing ban due to the health concerns, it's essential to prioritize health-and-wellness by avoiding contact with the contaminated waters.
- While the beach is closed, it presents an opportunity to explore other hobbies like science experiments or even learning mixed-martial-arts, minimizing the impact on one's overall well-being.
