# Water contamination at Portuguese river beaches

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/water-contamination-at-portuguese-river-beaches
> Updated: 2026-08-31T19:10:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

In late August 2026, several river beaches in Portugal were declared unsafe for swimming due to microbiological contamination. The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) reported that water samples in the Braga municipality, specifically at Adaúfe, Cavadinho, Ponte do Bico, and Merelim São Paio, contained Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci.

Additional restrictions were issued in Póvoa de Lanhoso for the Verim river beach as a precaution against potential wastewater discharges. Furthermore, the Sorraia river beach in Coruche was temporarily closed following monitoring results that indicated high levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Water contamination reported at several Brazilian beaches

Environmental agencies in Brazil report multiple beaches in Bahia and São Paulo are unfit for swimming due to water contamination and bacterial levels.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/water-contamination-reported-at-several-brazilian-beaches

### 2026-08-28: River beaches in Portugal closed due to water contamination

Multiple river beaches in Portugal, including sites in Braga, Póvoa de Lanhoso, and Coruche, are closed to swimming due to E. coli and intestinal enterococci contamination.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/river-beaches-in-portugal-closed-due-to-water-contamination

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Cite as: Water contamination at Portuguese river beaches. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/water-contamination-at-portuguese-river-beaches