Incident at Monte Real station resolved, river contamination ceased
In the picturesque coastal town of Leiria, Portugal, an environmental crisis has unfolded due to a malfunction at the Monte Real lift station. The incident, which occurred on August 12, 2025, resulted in the temporary inoperability of the station's pumps, leading to an emergency discharge of raw sewage into the Lis River and an adjacent irrigation ditch [1][2][3].
The gravity of the situation became apparent as evidence of dead fish and a significant impact on local fauna and flora emerged. The GNR of Leiria, the Portuguese environmental authorities, has launched an investigation to identify the polluting source and evaluate the degree of degradation of water quality [1].
As a result, between 20,000 and 25,000 cubic meters of raw sewage entered the River Lis, leading to a swimming ban at Praia da Vieira and advisories against irrigation and fishing downstream of Monte Real [1][3]. The bathing ban at Praia da Vieira was later lifted, but local authorities stressed that such an incident "cannot happen again," though no zero-risk solution exists [1].
The malfunction was promptly repaired by early August 14, 2025, and the resumption of the station's operation ended the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Lis River [1][3]. However, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has demanded that Águas do Centro Litoral (AdCL), the managing company, urgently install a retention system to prevent future raw sewage discharges and minimize environmental impact [3]. They also urged rapid repair of the pumping system and implementation of measures to reduce or prevent further effluent contamination of the river [3].
The Leiria Chamber, the local government, has also called for the creation of an investigative commission and guarantees of "environmental and social compensation." They demand that AdCL immediately adopt containment measures, repair the damage caused, and implement solutions to prevent similar cases in the future [1].
APA, in coordination with the GNR, has activated all applicable legal mechanisms, including sanctions, in response to the pollution in the Lis River [3]. As a precaution, APA advises against bathing in the Lis River downstream from the Monte Real lift station [3].
This incident highlights serious environmental implications for the Lis River and the coastal area of Praia da Vieira, prompting both immediate remedial action and investigation into preventing recurrence [1][3]. The Leiria Chamber considers this incident a serious environmental issue, leading to the direct discharge of untreated effluents into the Lis River, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the local ecosystem and public health [1].
References:
[1] RTP - Monte Real: APA pede medidas urgentes para evitar descargas de esgoto bruto no Rio Lis [2] SIC Notícias - Monte Real: APA pede medidas urgentes para evitar descargas de esgoto bruto no Rio Lis [3] Publico - Monte Real: APA pede medidas urgentes para evitar descargas de esgoto bruto no Rio Lis
