Algarve records 0.5% decline in urban water consumption in February

Urban water consumption in the Algarve fell by 0.5% in February compared to the same month in 2023, an “encouraging but distant” decline compared to the planned 15%, the vice-president of Agência Portuguesa Lusa reported this Thursday in the magazine “Environment” (APA).

Despite the reduction in consumption in the urban, tourism and agricultural sectors, the Algarve remains in a situation of severe hydrological drought with “very low levels of groundwater and surface water reserves,” emphasized José Pimenta Machado.

“This slight decrease is a positive sign that people are using less water and shows a corresponding trend in measures taken, be it in the urban sector, tourism and agriculture,” he stressed.

However, he added, the reduction is “far from the 15% planned” to ensure the sustainability of water resources in the Algarve, in line with the Drought Commission’s guidelines.

If in January there was an increase in consumption by 4.6% compared to the same period last year (200 thousand cubic meters more), then in February the region consumed 20 thousand cubic meters less water, he noted.

Pimenta Machado believes that the reduction reflects the measures taken, namely the suspension of watering of public gardens, street washing and the closure of decorative fountains, “the path that municipalities are following” in accordance with the recommendations of the Drought Commission.

According to APA, of the 19 entities responsible for urban water supply in the Algarve, only seven of the 16 municipalities of the Algarve recorded a decrease in consumption: Albufeira (-0.85%), Alcoutim (-26.91%), Castro Marim (-16. 04%), Lagoa (-2.26%), Loule (-0.49%), Silves (-9.14%) and Vila do Bispo (-5.23%)).

In the same direction, there are three municipal companies in the municipality of Loule: Infralobo (-20.07%), Inframoura (-11.97%) and Infraquinta (-17.18%).

The municipalities with higher consumption levels are Algesur (+4.19%), Lagos (+9.24%), Monchique (+18.36%) and Sao Bras de Alportel (+7.39%).

Growth was also observed in municipal companies: Águas de Vila Real de Santo Antonio (+9.98%), AmbiOlhão (+0.23%), EMARP in Portimão (+1.79%), Fagar in Faro (+5.73% ) and Tavira Verde. (+1.61%).

The six reservoirs – Bravura, Odeluca, Arade, Funcio, Odeleite and Belice – that supply the Algarve region have a total volume of about 151 cubic hectometers (hm3), corresponding to 34% of the total storage capacity.

In the last week of January there was an increase in main surface reserves of approximately 0.01 gm3, but compared to the same period in 2023 there was a decrease of 50 gm3.

According to the APA vice-president, the Algarve is experiencing its “worst drought with the lowest levels of water reserves in all six reservoirs.”

“Despite recent rains that have allowed this figure to increase from 25% to 34%, the severe drought situation continues and is worrying, making it necessary to reduce consumption to ensure sustainability,” warned Pimenta Machado.

The Algarve has been on drought alert since February 5 and the government has approved a set of measures to limit consumption, namely a 15% cut in the urban sector, including tourism, and a 25% cut in agriculture.

In addition to these measures, there are others, such as combating losses in water networks, using reclaimed water to irrigate green spaces, streets and golf courses, or suspending the issuance of water rights.

The government has already acknowledged that it could increase the level of restrictions and declare an environmental emergency or disaster if current measures are insufficient to solve the problem of water scarcity in the region.