The decision stems from a “significant recovery” in seven groundwater bodies, observed in the basins of the streams in the western and eastern Algarve, including the Arade basin, Luz de Tavira, São Brás de Alportel, Peral, Moncarapacho, and São Bartolomeu, as stated by Maria da Graça Carvalho.
The lifting of restrictions will cover an agricultural area of approximately 60,000 hectares, excluding the Querença/Silves aquifer, which will continue to face restrictions due to a lack of recovery.
This announcement was made by Maria da Graça Carvalho during a press conference in Faro, following the signing of the “Water That Unites – Studies for the Assessment of Water Potential in the Algarve Watersheds” protocol between the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Sous and Beneficiaries Association of the Eastern Algarve Irrigation Plan.
“After the mapping by the APA, a decision was made, which I agreed with, and it will be effective from today following the meeting of the Drought Commission on water management in the Algarve,” she highlighted.
Maria da Graça Carvalho also noted that the APA will “review all groundwater extraction titles in the Algarve based on new plantings and update the areas, something that has not been done in a long time.”
However, she warned that the drought situation in the Algarve “will be reviewed at the next commission meeting, considering the forecasts of a very hot summer.”
“This is a situation that is reviewed every two months and is being monitored. We must proceed with caution,” she cautioned.
The official emphasized that retaining water in dams “is only very useful if it rains, as years without rain require added caution.”
However, she stressed the need to continue combating waste and saving water while maintaining a 5% reduction in water consumption across all sectors: urban, tourism, agricultural, and golf.
According to Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Algarve reservoirs currently hold 372 cubic hectometers of water, equivalent to 83% of their capacity, representing an increase of 196 cubic hectometers compared to the same month in 2024.
Today, in Faro, the minister presided over the signing of the “Water That Unites — Studies for the Assessment of Water Potential in the Algarve Watersheds, namely the Alportel Watershed” protocol, between the APA and the Sous and Beneficiaries Association of the Eastern Algarve Irrigation Plan.
According to the APA, these studies are part of the Algarve Regional Water Efficiency Plan and aim to enhance water supply security. They also contribute significantly to reducing the flood risk in Tavira, integrating the Flood Risk Management Plan of RH8 — Algarve Streams.
