Summary:
Algarve reservoirs at 79% capacity; sufficient for nearly three years of consumption.
Ongoing projects focus on reducing water losses and using treated wastewater for irrigation.
Desalination plant and new water capture initiatives are underway to bolster water storage.
Bravura dam improved to 49% capacity, up from 11% in December.
Algarve Reservoirs Reach 79% Capacity
The Algarve reservoirs are currently at an impressive 79% of their total storage capacity, following recent rainfall, which translates to nearly three years of water consumption for the region, as stated by the president of the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA).
Pimenta Machado, the APA president, noted that this situation allows for a more relaxed approach to executing ongoing projects aimed at enhancing the region's resilience. He emphasized the importance of focusing on current initiatives, such as:
- Reducing water losses in the existing distribution network.
- Accelerating the use of treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (ETAR) for irrigating golf courses and gardens.
"It's crucial to rethink our water usage for irrigation purposes," insisted Pimenta Machado.
Ongoing Projects for Water Storage
The APA is also working on several projects to bolster water storage, including:
- Construction of a desalination plant in Albufeira.
- Water capture work in Pomarão, Mértola (Alentejo).
- A pipeline project leading to the Odeleite reservoir in Castro Marim (Algarve).
For the Barlavento region (west Algarve), a connection via Santa Clara in Alentejo is being studied to enhance resilience in that area. Other initiatives include exploring the potential construction of the Alportel dam and the Foupana dam project.
Current Water Levels and Future Precautions
Despite the recent calm, Pimenta Machado stressed the significance of making prudent decisions now to prepare for future years. The Algarve has stored an additional 200 hectometers of water compared to last year, securing supplies for almost three years.
Notably, the Bravura dam is now at 49% capacity, a remarkable improvement from 11% in December, while the Arade dam stands at 58%, having previously dipped below 10%. The APA president also mentioned that the preventive discharges from the Odeleite (97%) and Beliche (92%) dams are expected to be suspended soon.
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