Last Resort: New Dam Construction in Algarve Only If Absolutely Necessary

New Dam Construction in Algarve: A Last Resort

According to Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Minister of Environment and Energy, the construction of new dams in the Algarve, specifically the Foupana and Alportel dams, will only be considered as a last resort. This statement was made during her visit to Faro on Sunday.

The minister emphasized that the government's priorities revolve around saving, reusing, preventing losses, and optimizing existing infrastructure before considering new constructions. "We will only build new structures if absolutely necessary," she stated.

During her visit, Carvalho inaugurated the Pavilion of Water and participated in the official launch of the public tender for the Pomarão Water Intake project. She reassured journalists that the government's strategy is to focus on resource management rather than new constructions, ensuring that all existing solutions have been explored first.

The group “Água que Une,” which was announced by the Prime Minister, is working on technical solutions that will be presented to the government soon. The group is headed by the president of Águas de Portugal.

Planned Projects and Criticisms

According to reports, the Alportel Dam is part of a national plan for better water management. A month prior, the Sotavento Irrigation Plan Beneficiaries Association initiated a public tender for the project of this dam. The association, led by Macário Correia, advocates for more dams in the Algarve, arguing they are a better solution than desalination plants.

Despite criticism, Minister Carvalho defended her approach, stating that her role was to follow through with the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), which was already in progress. She highlighted the urgency of executing projects to avoid losing out on 200 million euros allocated for Portugal and the Algarve.

While questioned about the best solutions for water supply, she stated that the desalination plant and Pomarão Water Intake projects will provide significant water resources for the Algarve, which currently faces a consumption of about 75 hm³. Carvalho reiterated the need for prompt action over deliberation on the best alternatives, stressing the importance of executing inherited projects.

Conclusion

The Minister's statements reflect a commitment to responsible water resource management in the Algarve, prioritizing sustainable practices before resorting to new constructions.