In a statement, the council said it may be the same invasive algae “that has spread across several coastal areas of the archipelago and the country, although more evident in rocky areas.”
The excessive presence of algae in the aforementioned beach complex, also known locally as Piscinas da Boca da Ribeira, has made it “humanly impossible for the maintenance staff assigned to keep the main pool clean,” as it is a natural pool and “completely subject to the tides,” according to the city hall of Nordeste.
“The excess algae has also made it impossible to use the tank’s backup pump, causing damage to the equipment,” he added.
According to the statement, at the beginning of the bathing season, the city government “carried out the necessary maintenance” of the bathing complex, specifically cleaning the tanks (as they are exposed to the sea throughout the winter), repairing restrooms and changing rooms, painting, replacing trash cans, and equipping the necessary equipment for the operation and support of the area’s security guards.
The municipality, on its own initiative, also developed a project to remodel the complex and submitted it to the Regional Government of the Azores, “for it to carry out the work, since the municipality does not have the resources to do so.”
The City of Nordeste is concerned about the abnormal situation affecting the Foz da Ribeira Bathing Complex this year, “because it has obvious inconveniences for bathers and for the city’s image as a clean and welcoming city.”
“Because this is an exceptional situation and the amount of algae is abnormal, there’s very little the city can do to control this algae invasion,” he said.