Algarve municipalities must support the population in saving water

The Portuguese Association for the Protection of Consumers (DECO) this Wednesday advocated that Algarve municipalities should create helplines to allow consumers to purchase equipment to save water and combat water shortages.

Speaking to Lusa, Susana Correia from DECO Algarve said local authorities should find funding formulas to support the acquisition of equipment that helps reduce consumption, rather than relying on tariff increases as initially announced, which would increase economic hardship. the population already feels this.

Stressing that DECO advocates and considers it necessary to introduce measures to save water resources, which are in a situation of scarcity due to the drought that has hit the Algarve, the person in charge emphasized the importance of consumers having access to equipment that allows them to increase savings and control them consumption they do at home.

“Saving water shouldn’t put a huge burden on consumers’ pockets. Many measures were discussed, consumers were asked to turn off the tap, every now and then we hear about the possibility of increasing water tariffs, but DECO understands that this should not be done. this is the path to take now,” he said.

The lawyer warned that “consumers do not have the opportunity to use water in their homes more efficiently,” and in honor of Consumer Month, which takes place in March, DECO “makes it a priority to ensure that no one is left behind” in the fight against water shortages.

“And for this we turn to the municipalities of the Algarve and the intermunicipal community. [AMAL]that create support lines or promote collective purchasing specifically aimed at purchasing equipment, devices, solutions that allow consumers to use water more efficiently in their homes, control their consumption, and also store rainwater,” he said.

Susana Correia said it was necessary “beyond asking families to save water” so that “savings can be put on families’ wallets” and they can make a “real contribution” to reducing water consumption in the region.

“What we’re proposing is to essentially start a debate and open the door to discussion here. We understand that this can be done with the help of means, we can look for means,” says Susana Correia.

The person in charge said that “municipalities have a duty and responsibility to reduce water consumption,” and the measures now proposed would “also bring a tangible way to save water into consumers’ homes.”

This support should be available to all consumers, and not just cover the most vulnerable, he stressed, adding that support mechanisms should also cover middle-class families who cannot make more investments to make their home more efficient in terms of . type of water use.

“We can buy and have affordable equipment such as, for example, flow reducers, more efficient taps, more efficient showers,” he gave an example, highlighting that the most efficient washing machines consume 50 liters per wash, while the oldest can reach 200.

The Algarve has been on drought alert since February 5, with the government approving 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 by declaring a state of emergency or an environmental disaster if current measures are insufficient.