The Inter-Municipal Community of the Algarve (AMAL) wants to reduce private irrigation meters as families are responsible for 90% of the total urban water consumption in the region.
The meters in question pay for water at a lower price, as waste charges are not included. In order for the municipalities to intervene, the rules must be changed within the Water and Waste Regulatory Authority in a request made during a video conference with Environment Minister Duarte Cordeiro on Friday.
Mayors have decided to close public swimming pools along the coast ahead of schedule and reduce the amount of water used to water gardens. The target for this year is that “urban consumption has zero growth compared to 2019”, which is expected to be difficult, “given that an even larger tourism year is expected compared to 2019,” says responsible.
On the 15th of this month, there will also be a campaign to raise awareness of the need to save water. The Algarve is the region most affected by the drought, which led to the creation of a “task force”.
“With such a shortage of water, it is incomprehensible to have such meters for reservoirs or pools,” says Antonio Pina, president of AMAL.
Author: Rafael Dominguez This Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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