The president of PS-Madeira, Célia Pessegueiro, today demanded a solution from the Regional Government for wastewater treatment in the parish of Porto da Cruz. Speaking at a press conference near a building constructed 20 years ago to be a Wastewater Treatment Plant (ETAR) but which never operated, Pessegueiro accused the Regional Government and Águas e Resíduos da Madeira (ARM) of "forgetting the population and the parish".
The infrastructure, which cost three million euros, never became operational, and its equipment was removed. Consequently, the parish's wastewater is discharged into the sea untreated, affecting the Maiata beach area, a popular surf spot. Pessegueiro regretted that this situation prevents the beach from meeting the conditions for a Blue Flag application, harming the parish economically and environmentally.
With increased demand for the parish, PS-Madeira considers the lack of a treatment plant a "very serious failure" and calls for urgent intervention, reminding that legislation is not being complied with. The socialist leader also suggested that new technologies could offer alternative solutions to existing facilities. Additionally, she demanded the realization of the promised promenade between Porto da Cruz and Maiata beach.
