Reduction is in line with the government’s 13% target
Tourism businesses in the Algarve which joined the ‘Save Water’ initiative – a water efficiency program aimed at reducing consumption – have cut their water usage by 13% between March and September.
According to a new report from ADENE (Portugal’s Agency for Energy), 93 tourism businesses in the Algarve joined the platform, leading to significant savings in both water use and costs.
Between March 18 and September 30, 2024, the program helped reduce overall water consumption by 13%, and specific consumption (the water usage per guest, per room, or per service provided) by 16%.
In a statement, ADENE hailed the “positive results” which, it says, “contribute to mitigate the issue of water shortage in the Algarve and result in direct financial savings for Algarve tourist developments.”
On average, each establishment saved around €3,400 in water costs during this period, with potential annual savings exceeding €7,000 per business. These savings are expected to grow as more measures are implemented, including those aimed at reducing energy costs related to water consumption.
The statement adds that while the months of August and September showed a slight drop in progress (1% less than by the end of July), the overall goal of reducing water consumption remains on track.
So far, businesses have committed to around 2,500 water-saving measures included in the scheme, with nearly half of them already implemented. The most popular measures include improving irrigation systems, upgrading devices, and enhancing management and maintenance systems. Most of the 93 participating businesses are hotels, which represent around 30% of the available beds in the region.
ADENE adds that it is working closely with Turismo de Portugal and the Algarve Tourism Board to expand the initiative to other sectors like local accommodation (Alojamento Local, or AL).
The ‘Save Water’ programme is part of a broader government response to the drought conditions in the Algarve, as outlined in a February 2024 resolution that set water reduction goals for the tourism, agriculture, and public sectors. Originally aiming for a 15% reduction, the target was adjusted to 13% for urban sectors, including tourism.
The report suggests increasing efforts to promote the initiative and encourage further participation. ADENE also manages the AQUA+ system, which evaluates and classifies water efficiency.
