GNR detects 12 crimes of soil and water contamination in more than 200 inspections
The GNR detected 12 pollution crimes and prepared 225 infraction notices in 205 actions carried out this year within the scope of monitoring the pollution of soil and water resources, it was announced this Saturday.
The police force says it received a total of 1,174 complaints about pollution between the beginning of January and September 27, 463 of which related to water pollution and 711 to land pollution.
The main sources of pollution detected are related to inadequate discharges resulting from manufacturing activities, wastewater treatment plants with low levels of monitoring and excessive application of chemicals (fertilizers and phytopharmaceuticals) to the soil, among others.
In the entire year 2023, the complaints received by the GNR amounted to 1,276 (500 related to water pollution and 776 to soil pollution), with 272 inspection actions being carried out, which resulted in 307 administrative offenses and 24 crimes detected.
Droughts in Portugal make soil more vulnerable
Inspection actions have been carried out through the Nature and Environment Protection Service (SEPNA), seeking to identify “sources emitting pollution that affect soil and water resources” and ensuring “the investigation of processes to identify those potentially responsible”.
According to the GNR, the pollution of soil and water resources “leads to severe consequences, including the degradation of the quality of drinking water, the alteration of ecosystems, with the possible extinction of species, and the introduction of pollutants into the food chain”, which puts food security at risk and contributes to the impoverishment of soil, which no longer has any value for production.
It also results in the release of more harmful gases into the atmosphere, “increasing climate change”.
“The frequency of situations of meteorological drought and soil impoverishment that have occurred in Portugal in recent decades, with the possibility that they could be worsened by the effect of climate change, implies an increase in risk and vulnerability to these phenomena” , alert.
The reduction in the productive potential of soils, water availability and, consequently, existing uses, with particular incidence in the agricultural sector and at the economic and social level are some of the risks highlighted.
To report infractions or clarify doubts, the SOS Ambiente e Território Line (808 200 520) and the email sepna@gnr.pt must be used.
