Major Water Initiative Announced in Faro

In a significant development for the Algarve region, the Minister of Environment and Energy presided over the announcement of the Pomarão water intake project during the inauguration of the Pavilion of Water, organized by Águas do Algarve in Faro. This initiative aims to provide definitive solutions for water access to the populations of Mesquita and Espírito Santo in the municipality of Mértola.

Investment and Collaboration

During the event, a protocol was also signed between Águas do Algarve and the Castro Marim Municipality for the rehabilitation of the sewage network, aimed at reducing brackish water inflows and promoting the reuse of treated water for agriculture and golf.

Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Minister, revealed that the Pomarão project represents an investment of €109 million. Following an agreement with Spain, the project will enable the use of an additional 60 cubic hectometers from the Guadiana River—30 for supplying the Sotavento Algarve region and the remaining 30 for the Alqueva area, which will be connected to the Mira Basin and potentially to Bravura in the Barlavento region. In total, this will lead to an investment of approximately €400 to €500 million for water projects in the Algarve, set to be executed by mid-2026.

Urgency in Water Solutions

When asked if constructing a desalination plant is the best solution for the region, the Minister emphasized the urgency due to potential losses of €200 million in funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) if the projects did not progress quickly. She stressed the need for water conservation, reuse, and the option of desalination, stating, "the Algarve is facing a desertification front moving north into Europe, and we must prepare for the future."

The Minister highlighted that regions like Malta rely on desalination and water reuse, while Spain operates over 700 desalination plants, and Cape Verde has been building its water facilities since the 1950s. She cautioned against allowing the Algarve to become arid, underscoring the potential negative impact on the economy, tourism, and the quality of life for the local population.