The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) reminded residents on Friday that the city’s two beaches, Hac Sa (“Black Sand”) and Cheoc Van (“Bamboo Bay”), both in Coloane, are unsuitable for swimming, after the amount of rubbish at both beaches was found to have increased significantly in recent days, as well as a test by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) showed excessive E. coli levels in both beaches’ waters last week.
Cheoc Van remained closed to the public yesterday, as E. coli levels in the sea there were still above the official limit.
The amount of litter at both beaches had increased significantly in recent days as compared to that at normal times, the statement quoted its officials as saying, adding that the bureau has informed a government-outsourced cleaning company, Macau Residue System Company (CSR), to send more staff to clean up the beaches, the bureau said.
As the weather has been very hot and there have been cases in the past where members of the public have suffered burns due to the high temperature of the sand on the beach, the bureau has posted notices at the two beaches to remind the public to pay attention to the situation, the bureau said.
In addition, according to the statement, the abnormal water quality at beaches usually occurs after heavy rainfall or due to other inclement weather conditions and may persist for a period of time.
The statement highlighted the Marine and Water Bureau’s commitment to closely monitoring the situation and urged all those who are planning to go to the city’s two beaches for water activities to pay close attention to the warning flags hoisted at the respective locations.
This undated handout photo provided by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) on Friday shows rubbish washed up on Coloane’s Hac Sa Beach.
