The dilemma of falling water levels is leading seawater to start ‘leaking’ into the Algarve’s aquifers. This is a new ‘risk’ to the region’s water supply, previously little-mentioned by authorities. For now Leonardo Azevedo of the Instituto Superior Técnico (in Lisbon) has told reporters that his institute is ready to collaborate with the CCDR (commission for regional coordination and development) and APA (Portuguese environment agency) with a view to ‘better managing the precious subterranean reserves’ in the south…
Seawater is (slowly) leaking into Algarve’s aquifers
As water reduces in the southern aquifers, pressure of seawater along the coast infiltrates, reducing the quality of underground water, and in some cases, making it impossible to use for irrigation/ human (even animal) consumption
