Government deems beaches unfit for swimming

Amid the summer season and to beat the current scorching heat, the city’s two public beaches have been deemed unsuitable for swimming due to a significant increase in litter and excessive levels of E. coli bacteria in the water, said the city’s Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA).

In a statement, the bureau said both Hac Sa and Cheoc Van beaches in Coloane have seen a dramatic uptick in trash in recent days. Water quality tests conducted by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) last week also revealed E. coli concentrations at the beaches exceeded safe limits, leading to the closure of Cheoc Van beach on Sunday as E. coli levels remained above the acceptable threshold.

The DSAMA has brought in additional cleaning staff from the government-contracted Macau Residue System Company (CSR) to address the waste buildup, and authorities also cautioned beachgoers about the risks of hot sand temperatures, which have previously led to burn injuries among visitors.

The statement noted that poor water quality at Macau’s beaches often follows heavy rainfall or other inclement weather in the region, which can wash large amounts of refuse from the Pearl River estuary onto the city’s shores.

“The Marine and Water Bureau is closely monitoring the situation and urges all those planning water activities at Macau’s two beaches to pay close attention to the warning flags posted at the respective locations,” the statement read.

Rubbish accumulating on Macau’s coastlines is a persistent problem, with an estimated four tons of debris – much of it single-use plastic – washing ashore at Hac Sa beach alone each day in April.

Environmentalists attribute the issue to inadequate waste management and illegal dumping practices in communities along the Pearl River, underscoring the need for a regional approach to tackle the growing pollution crisis.

Cleaning up Macau’s polluted beaches remains an ongoing challenge as garbage from throughout the Pearl River delta washes ashore. Swimmers are advised to stay out of the water at both public beaches until pollution levels recede.

The warnings come as the bureau works to monitor the situation and deploy additional resources to address the surge in litter and bacteria contamination at Macau’s popular beach destinations, which have been deemed unsuitable for swimming. Victoria Chan