Regional Government invests 250 thousand Euros in 2019 in management of bathing areas and monitoring of bathing water
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology highlighted in Varadouro, Faial Island, the investment that has been made by the Regional Government in the archipelago's bathing areas, corresponding to an investment of about 250 thousand Euros.
Gui Menezes emphasised the collaboration between the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs (DRAM) and the managing entities of bathing areas on all islands, namely in the assessment and licensing of bathing support infrastructures, the analysis of bathing water, and in the training and recruitment of live savers.
The Regional Secretary spoke Thursday at the hoisting ceremony of the Blue Flag at Varadouro bathing area and pool that took place under the Government's visit to Faial Island. On the occasion, he emphasised that 39 coastal bathing areas of the archipelago were distinguished with the Blue Flag award this year, that is, five more than in 2018. It is a record number for the Azores.
"There are many preconditions and many requirements underpinning the Blue Flag award," Gui Menezes, stressing that in order to ensure the quality of bathing water, "about half a thousand samples" are analysed annually from the 70 bathing waters identified in the Region.
Besides the monitoring of water quality, the Regional Secretary emphasised the investment in the recruitment of life savers for the DRAM-managed bathing areas, namely on the S. Lourenço and Maia beaches on the island of Santa Maria, Porto Pim beach in Horta and the Ferraria bathing area on the island of São Miguel.
Gui Menezes also mentioned the Government's support for the organisation of life saving courses, noting that the surveillance period was extended this year in order to cover the entire bathing season.
"A well-managed network of bathing areas is an important asset for all bathers," stated the government official.
The Regional Secretary also recalled that, following the damage caused by the Kyllian storm in February, the Regional Government took charge of the recovery of the affected sites, such as the Varadouro and Castelo Branco bathing areas on Faial Island, an investment of about 20 thousand Euros.
In his speech, Gui Menezes also stated that DRAM has acquired a new machine to clean the Porto Pim beach this month, one of the most affected beaches by the marine plastic phenomenon. It began operating this week.
The equipment, operated by Faial Natural Park technicians, represented an investment of about 18,500 Euros.
Also during the Government's visit to Faial, the Regional Secretary also visited Thursday the works to reinforce the coastal protection of the slope adjacent to the old landfill of Faial Island on Praia do Norte beach, which started a week ago and should be completed in August.