Praia da Vieira, in the municipality of Marinha Grande, is currently closed to swimming due to a malfunction at the Monte Real pumping station (Leiria), which is forcing water to be discharged into the Lis River.

In a statement, Águas do Centro Litoral (AdCL) said that the Monte Real station, located in Várzeas, which pumps effluent to the Coimbrão wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), "is temporarily inoperative due to a malfunction in the pumps that make up the pumping system."

After detecting the problem late Tuesday morning, "the AdCL technical team immediately went to the facility," where they began "repair work on the serious fault detected within the pumping station."

"Given the severity and complexity of the execution of these works, AdCL is making every effort and ensuring the resources for a swift resolution to restore normal infrastructure service and minimise the environmental impact of the situation," it adds.

Due to the pumping station's inoperability, "the emergency discharge system of the station was activated, as well as that of the upstream pumping station (Serra de Porto do Urso)," it explains.

"These discharges occur, respectively, into the Lis River and an adjacent irrigation ditch," it says, assuring that the situation was reported to the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Lis Valley Irrigators Association.

According to AdCL, "all necessary measures are being taken to resolve this incident as quickly as possible."

The Marinha Grande City Council, in a statement, clarifies that it is monitoring the situation "in conjunction with the various competent entities and the Ministry of the Environment."

"As a precaution, and while repairs are underway, the Port Authority of Nazaré has ordered the temporary ban on swimming at Praia da Vieira. All activities on the Lis River are also prohibited," it adds.

The Leiria City Hall, for its part, advises against activities on the stretch of the Lis River after Monte Real.

In a post on social media, the City Council reports that AdCL "reported a malfunction at the Monte Real pumping station, which is preventing the flow of effluent to the Coimbrão WWTP."

"This situation requires emergency discharges into the Lis River," the post reads, warning that "the river water will not be suitable for any purpose."

In this sense, the city hall recommends avoiding any activity involving the river downstream of Serra de Porto do Urso, including collection for irrigation, swimming, and fishing.

"The municipality is monitoring the situation, continuing to monitor the Lis River and working with AdCL and parish councils".

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