The president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL) is convinced that the continuation of the extreme drought in the region will very soon lead the authorities to temporarily suspend the increase in agricultural area.
«We probably have to consider whether in the near future, while we are in this situation of extreme drought, we don't also have to temporarily suspend the increase in agricultural area», António Miguel Pina told the Lusa agency.
For the also mayor of Olhão, «it is not understandable», when looking at the water level in the subsoil and the water levels in the reservoirs, that the areas of agricultural production continue to increase.
This measure, which «has to be taken by the Government», will, according to this regional official, be, above all, to protect the producers that already exist.
«This has to be a joint reflection. I think we're going to have to get there. There is no more water, period», emphasizes António Miguel Pina.
From the perspective of the president of the association that represents the 16 municipalities of the Algarve, the measure will, "certainly", be taken later this year, "unless there is a divine surprise, which is rain in May"
«We don't have water. We will not have more water in the near future. If there is no water, there can be no more consumption in the urban system, in golf and in agriculture», he insists. "I see no other way," she added.
These issues were addressed at a meeting that took place on Monday between the Algarve mayors, the company Águas do Algarve and the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
At the meeting, the water situation in the Algarve was reviewed and the results of measures to combat drought that were taken by municipalities in 2022 were presented.
According to António Miguel Pina, in two weeks there will be a new meeting at which a set of measures against the drought will be presented that should go «in the same direction» as those taken last year, when the municipal swimming pools were closed, in August, and limited watering public spaces.
We are also going to try «to understand if we don't have to go, together, further [...], when we present these proposed measures», said the president of AMAL.
Among other measures that are being considered is the increase in tariffs for "non-responsible domestic consumers", as well as the increase in tariffs in municipalities "that are not efficient in their use".
«The municipalities have to give the signal, but then we can demand that it is not possible that the golf courses that can already be served by wastewater remain connected to the agricultural system», said the mayor.
António Miguel Pina was referring to several golf courses in the region that could already buy wastewater from Wastewater Treatment Stations (WWTP), but continue to supply water from the agricultural system at around half the price.
For the mayor, the golf courses «have margin in their profits to do so», that is, to buy the most expensive water from the WWTP. António Miguel Pina is also of the opinion that the increase in water consumption due to the increase in tourists has to be “compensated” with saving measures.
The 16 mayors of the Algarve decided in July last year to close the public municipal swimming pools during the month of August, a measure that was extended until the end of September, with the exception of the swimming pools open in the more inland territories.
The Intermunicipal Council also approved, at the same time, the closure of ornamental fountains, the reduction of watering days and the stop of watering the public green spaces with lawns with conversion to native species and with lower water availability needs. Some of these measures are still in force.
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