Águas do Vale do Tejo (AdVT) has received the first license to produce water for reuse at the São Miguel de Machede Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Évora, the company informed today.
The Portuguese Environment Agency has also granted Herdade Pimenta the license to use this water, says the note released.
Herdade Pimenta is a family company, located in Alentejo, between Évora and Redondo, that explores more than 300 hectares of vineyards and produces about six million bottles per year, exporting 70% to more than 30 countries around the world. It also produces olive oil.
“In 2017, AdVT started a pilot project, together with Herdade Pimenta S.A., with the aim of reusing water from the São Miguel de Machede WWTP to irrigate its vineyards and olive trees and address the water shortage in this drought-stricken region,” the note states.
The license to produce water for reuse for the São Miguel de Machede WWTP for agricultural irrigation was issued on June 1st, with favorable opinions from the Alentejo Regional Health Administration and the Alentejo Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries.
This license covers the flow treated at the WWTP and presupposes a number of conditions, such as a Monitoring Plan and a Risk Assessment.
“This pilot project […] managed to bring together two distinct areas (viniculture and the use of treated wastewater) in a joint circular economy solution, which may be implemented in the future in other locations, namely in other parts of the Alentejo or AdVT’s area of operation,” according to the company.
AdVT is responsible for managing about 40% of the wastewater treatment plants of the Águas de Portugal Group.
