New measures to tackle the drought in the Algarve and Alentejo

Following on from the 18th meeting of the Permanent Committee for the Prevention, Monitoring and Follow-up of the Effects of the Drought given the critical situation faced in the Algarve, the following measures have been determined:

Public mains

A 15% reduction in urban consumption in the region compared to the previous year. 

Agricultural supply  

A total 25& reduction in consumption, which includes: 

• A 50% reduction in the amount for watering in the Sotavento hydro-agricultural perimeter (the reduction in the surface collection will be offset by reactivating boreholes in areas where the reservoirs aren’t in critical situation and also by the Water for Reuse) 

• A reduction of around 40% in the amount used for irrigation using the Funcho basin compared to the same period in the previous year

• A 15% reduction in the surface water collection for irrigation 

Tourism

A 25% reduction in consumption in tourism developments. 

A 15%, reduction in underground water collection.

In addition to these measures, others, of a structural natural are also underway:

1. Building a desalination plant in Albufeira with a capacity to treat 16hm3/year and which can reach 24hm3/year in a second stage. It is currently undergoing Environmental Impact Assessment

2. Increasing the water flow to the Odeleite dam by collecting from Pomarão, which will bring another 30 hm3. It is currently undergoing Environmental Impact Assessment

3. Increasing the Odelouca dam’s useful capacity by lowering the collection level, currently under way

4. Boosting the interconnection of the Barlavento/Sotavento public mains, currently under way 

5. Increasing the amount of Water for Reuse available to water golf courses and fields 

6. Reducing losses in the urban sector

7. Reducing losses in the agricultural sector in the hydro-agricultural perimeters.

As for the Alentejo region, the connection between the Alqueva dam to the Monte da Rocha dam has been awarded.