Decision covers area of around 60,0000 hectares, leaving out Querença/ Silves aquifer
Restrictions on groundwater abstraction for agriculture in the Algarve were partially lifted by the government today, thanks to the recovery identified following plentiful winter rains.
Minister for Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho announced the decision in Faro, following the signing of the ‘Water that Unites’ protocol between Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Association of Beneficiaries of the Sotavento Irrigation Plan.
She said there had been ‘significant recovery’ in seven bodies of groundwater – the Arade basin, Luz de Tavira, São Brás de Alportel, Peral, Moncarapacho and São Bartolomeu – and that the lifting of restrictions will cover an agricultural area of around 60,000 hectares, leaving out the Querença/Silves aquifer, “which will retain the restriction on abstraction because it hasn’t recovered as much”.
Maria da Graça Carvalho also said that APA will revise groundwater abstraction licences throughout the Algarve in line with the new plantations.
The ‘drought situation’ will nonetheless need to be reviewed at the next meeting of the Drought Commission, bearing in mind all forecasts point to a very hot, long, summer.
“We will have to be very cautious,” she admitted.
As for all the efforts to save water, these should be maintained (as no one can tell what is coming down the line): thus the 5% per cent restriction on water consumption for all sectors: urban, tourism, agriculture and golf remains in place.
Right now, the Algarve’s reservoirs have 372 cubic hectometres of stored water – corresponding to 83% of their capacity, and an increase of 196 cubic hectometres compared to the same time last year.
Source material: LUSA
