 On 8 September, though, the "Ministério do Interior" ("Ministry of the Interior"), following a complaint from the Viana do Castelo health delegation, affirmed that the bottling of the waters was made without pre-sterilization and washing of bottles.In 1918, the dispute resurfaces over the exploration of the water resources in Melgaço, resulting in new competitors for the concession that included Empresa Santos, Sobral & Co. (which had adopted its former statutes from 1894), the "Empreza das Águas Minerais ou Minero-Medicinais de Melgaço", and the "Empreza das Águas Minerais de Melgaço" (whose partners included Luís Manuel Solheiro, Lício de Miranda Solheiro and Bento Fernandes Pinto).Santos, Sobral & Co. eliminated (due to its changes) and the other companies issued an embargo over the lands of the Viscountess of Peso.