Summary:
APA issues a favorable environmental impact declaration for water extraction from the Guadiana River to supply Algarve.
The project includes a 40-kilometer underground pipeline and is part of a €61.5 million investment.
Portugal and Spain will finalize an agreement on September 26 regarding the project.
Local community leaders express concerns over water scarcity and demand benefits for residents.
Environmental organizations criticize the project for potential ecological impacts.
Favorable Environmental Impact Declaration
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has issued a favorable environmental impact declaration for the extraction of water from the Guadiana River to supply the Algarve region, though this approval is conditional upon compliance with specific requirements.
Project Overview
In a statement, the APA informed that the technical opinion from the evaluation committee was prepared following a 30-day public consultation period for a preliminary study of a project aimed at water extraction in Pomarão, a village in Mértola, Beja district. This initiative is part of the Regional Water Efficiency Plan for Algarve, with an estimated budget of around €61.5 million, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). The project includes the construction of a 40-kilometer underground pipeline to transport water back to the Odeleite reservoir in Castro Marim, Faro district.
Goals and International Cooperation
The APA claims that this initiative aims to ensure an effective regime of ecological flows and increase the available capacity of the reservoir, establishing a collaboration between Portugal and Spain. However, the licensing and execution of the project can only take place after the environmental compliance decision for the execution project is issued.
Upcoming Agreement
On August 6, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, announced that Portugal and Spain will sign a final agreement regarding the water extraction in Pomarão at a meeting in Madrid on September 26.
Local Concerns
On July 9, the Intermunicipal Community of Baixo Alentejo (CIMBAL), which includes 13 of the 14 municipalities in Beja district (with Odemira being the exception), approved a position against the water extraction project, demanding that the project also benefits the local population. CIMBAL highlighted that Mértola is one of the regions most vulnerable to desertification, grappling with water scarcity and high water stress, exacerbated by prolonged drought periods.
Environmentalist Criticism
Environmental organizations such as Zero and the Sustainable Water Platform (PAS) have also criticized the project. In response to the water extraction initiative, the Ministry of Environment and Energy requested a plan from the APA to ensure the regular supply of drinking water to the Espírito Santo parish, where Pomarão is located.
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