Press release - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

As already reported, the Regional Directorate for Health (DRS), in conjunction with the health authorities of Ribeira Grande and Povoação, and the São Miguel Island Health Unit (USISM), conducted an environmental investigation into water samples taken at the Caldeira Velha, Poça da Dona Beija and Terra Nostra Park thermal pools.

The samples were tested at the INSA-National Health Institute laboratory, and the results were released on July 24.

- Samples from the Caldeira Velha, Poça da Dona Beija and Parque Terra Nostra pools tested positive for microbiological contamination;

- Samples from the Caldeira Velha, Poça da Dona Beija and Parque Terra Nostra springs tested negative.

These water systems harbour ideal conditions for the colonisation, multiplication and dissemination of some microbiological agents, namely bacteria.

According to the "Precautionary Principle," the health authorities decided to proceed as follows for the sites identified above:

1) Determine immediate closing;

2) Exclude the public from the bath areas;

3) Carry out shock disinfection;

4) Carry out the draining, cleaning and disinfection of pools;

5) Review control and risk assessment measures; 

6) After the pools have been refilled, carry out further tests the following day and after 2-4 weeks;

7) Maintain the closure of the said spaces until the risk assessment has produced satisfactory results. 

Following these procedures, new samples were taken at the three sites between July 29 and 30. INSA carried out the laboratory testing of the samples taken, and the results were released between August 1 and 5:

- Samples from the Poça da Dona Beija, Parque Terra Nostra and Caldeira Velha pools tested positive, but with a significant decrease in the concentration of the previously identified microbiological agent (over 95% reduction).

In light of this situation, it was proposed to:

1) Maintain the closure and exclusion of the public from the pool areas;

2) Carry out shock disinfection;

3) Carry out the draining, cleaning and disinfection of the pools.

4) Review the control and risk assessment measures;

5) Once the tanks have been refilled, carry out further tests the following day and after two weeks;

6) Maintain the closure of the spaces until the risk assessment has produced satisfactory results.

Regarding the results already reported, and after a meeting involving various technical entities in the sector, the strategy presented by the DRS was unanimously accepted, so the tanks were drained, cleaned and disinfected. The third testing took place on August 6 and 7.

It was also agreed that, if the results continue to show a downward trend, it will be possible to reopen these spaces, respecting the rules for their use. The results are expected to be available next week.

The DRS praises the continued commitment and collaboration of the entities managing the spaces and stresses that, together with the Azorean health authorities, they will take all measures to safeguard public health in our Region.