Almodôvar, Mértola and Odemira are three of the 17 municipalities in Alentejo that have already joined the “Water. Using it well, more people have it”, aimed at promoting better use of water in times of drought.
As part of the campaign, the residents of these 17 municipalities will start receiving in their homes, this week, leaflets calling for the rational use of water, as part of the awareness campaign, promoted by the company Águas Públicas do Alentejo (AgdA), in partnership with the Association of Municipalities for Public Water Management in Alentejo (AMGAP).
"Raising awareness of the rational use of water and promoting adherence to good practices that can help manage this precious resource, especially in the current drought situation" are the main objectives of the initiative.
The municipalities of Alcácer do Sal, Alvito, Arraiolos, Barrancos, Beja, Castro Verde, Cuba, Grândola, Montemor-o-Novo, Moura, Santiago do Cacém, Vendas Novas, Viana do Alentejo and Vidigueira are also participating. all 21 municipalities in Alentejo.
The campaign involves information sent to the population and posters and leaflets to be distributed in City Councils and Parish Councils, aiming to sensitize the population to avoid watering gardens and vegetable gardens, as well as to reduce the washing of cars and backyards.
In July, almost 79% of mainland Portugal was in a situation of severe and extreme drought, with the situation worsening in the interior of Alentejo, as revealed by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere.
According to AgdA, the situation is more serious in the municipalities of Almodôvar, Ourique and Castro Verde, municipalities that are supplied only from underground water or from the Monte da Rocha dam, which has no connection to Alqueva.
In the municipalities of Odemira, Ourique, Mértola and Arraiolos, close to 1800 people are already being supplied using auto-tanks.
campaign advice
Reuse whenever you can:
The water used to wash vegetables is clean and can be reused to water your garden plants. Also shower water, while waiting for it to get hot, can be stored in a bucket and reused for washing or flushing. These are just a few examples of reuse you can apply in your home.
Do not waste water while watering:
If you water the garden with a hose, you will use 18 liters of water every minute. Plants don't need as much water and if they are watered at dawn or after sunset we avoid the sudden evaporation of the water.
Do not wash the car with the hose:
Before washing your car, seriously consider the need to do so at this time. If you really have to, do not use a hose, as in 30 minutes of washing you will be using an average of 216 to 560 liters of water. If you optionally use a 10 liter bucket to wash the car and three buckets to rinse it, you only use 40 liters of water.
Use a bucket of water to wash your yard:
The regular washing of yards and public places with the hose must be avoided, and it may even be prohibited in extreme situations. Alternatively, use a broom and a bucket of water. With this gesture, you save many liters of water, which can be used for other purposes.
Fix plumbing leaks:
A small leak in the pipe or a poorly sealed faucet can let out 25 liters of water a day. Be aware and as soon as you detect an anomaly, call the plumber immediately.
Use the machine with the maximum load:
A washing machine consumes up to 220 liters of water to wash 5 kilos of clothes. Always use it with the maximum load and economical program. For insulated parts, opt for a quick hand wash.
Wash teeth with the tap closed:
Do you know that in the 5 minutes it takes to brush your teeth, you use about 45 liters of water? Don't waste it: turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or use a glass of water.
Don't let the water run while shaving:
If you keep the tap turned off or fill the sink to shave, you can save 10 to 30 liters of water a day.
Take quick showers:
If you take a 5-minute shower instead of an immersion bath, you can save up to 150 liters of water per bath. In addition, if you always turn off the tap while soaping when taking a shower, you can save even more liters of water.
Half-flush the toilet:
A toilet flush consumes, on average, 10 liters of water each time it is turned on. Reduce this consumption by placing a bottle filled with water or sand in the tank or installing a cistern with a half-flush function.
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