Faro, Portugal, May 6, 2025 (Lusa) - The public water supply for human consumption in the Algarve is "totally secure" for a period of three years, a source from the Águas do Algarve company told Lusa on Tuesday.
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, company spokeswoman Teresa Fernandes said that the "very significant" rainfall over the winter had allowed water to be stored in the three reservoirs that serve the public supply, which is enough for three years.
"For human consumption, and even if it doesn't rain, our estimates are that the current reserves will be able to ensure supply in quality and safety," she said.
According to the spokeswoman for the company that manages the multi-municipal water supply system in the Algarve, the estimate is based on the recent average annual consumption, which is around 72 million cubic metres.
Teresa Fernandes pointed out that the Odelouca reservoir, the largest in the Algarve, located in the western Algarve, had a useful volume of 90% last Friday, or 114.94 cubic hectometres (hm3).
She pointed out that in the eastern Algarve, the Odeleite reservoir has a useful volume of 105.12 hm3 (97%) and the Beliche reservoir 39.35 hm3 (92%).
However, despite the positive inflow of water due to last winter's rainfall, she urged people to save water, as there may be little rainfall in the region again in the coming winters, as has happened in previous years.
"Although we have more water stored in the reservoirs, it's important to consume this water resource efficiently and responsibly," she noted.
According to data from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the total volume stored in the region's six main reservoirs reached 395 cubic hectometres (hm3) in April, corresponding to 90% of total capacity.
In the western region, the reservoirs supply agriculture and golf. The Arade dam has 72% (20.32 hm3) of its useful capacity, the Bravura 60% (20.90 hm3), and the Funcho 84% (39.88 hm3).
According to the APA, there was an increase of around 199 hm3 of stored water compared to the same period in 2024: 84 hm3 in the Sotavento (43%) and 112 hm3 in the western (57%).
JPC/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
