The association's distinction was revealed in a statement, before the opening, between Thursday and Saturday, of a further 191 bathing areas (the first opened in May).

A Zero Pollution beach is one in which no microbiological contamination has been detected in the analyses carried out on the bathing waters over the last three bathing seasons, according to the association.

In 2020, there were 15 more beaches classified, that is, a total of 68.

According to Zero, all beaches distinguished last year as Zero Pollution beaches are classified, under the law, as beaches with “excellent” water quality. However, if they had a single analysis in which the presence of microorganisms were detected, even if very far from the limit value, they could no longer be included in this list.

The municipalities with the highest number of Zero Pollution beaches are Alcobaça (district of Leiria), Porto Santo (Madeira) and Tavira (district of Faro), with four beaches, and Faro, Peniche (district of Leiria), Sesimbra (district of Setúbal) and Vila do Bispo (district of Faro), with three.

There are 43 Zero Pollution beaches on the mainland, in 24 municipalities, six in the Azores, in five municipalities, and four in Madeira, in a single municipality.

The municipalities of Torres Vedras (Lisbon) and Angra do Heroísmo (Azores) had, this year, a significant number of beaches removed from the list - nine and five, respectively.