The president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (CIM) considered this Monday that the water commitments signed last week between Portugal and Spain “They are an important step to guarantee” the reinforcement of water supply in the region.
“We are very pleased that, within the scope of this cross-border agreement, the 30 hectometers for water intake in Pomarão, as provided for in the Water Efficiency Plan,” António Miguel Pina told the Lusa agency.
The agreements for the water management of the Guadiana and Tagus flows between the governments of Portugal and Spain were formalized during the 35th Portuguese-Spanish Summit, which took place last Wednesday in Faro.
Asked if the minimum monthly flow of the Guadiana River in the Pomarão section will be enough to reinforce and maintain part of the water resources of the Algarve, António Miguel Pina stated that he did not have the technical knowledge that would allow him to make an evaluation.
“This is an important measure that allows for a significant reinforcement of our water sources, as we had already foreseen in the Water Efficiency Plan for the Algarve within the scope of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR),” he highlighted.
According to the president of the association of municipalities of the Faro district, which makes up the 16 municipalities of the Algarve, “it is another project that is almost ready to come to fruition.”
“We just need to start the works, such as the desalination plant, and with these two, we have an important reinforcement of our water sources.”noted the also president of the Olhão Chamber.
For the mayor, even so, “we must assess whether these new sources associated with loss reduction and reuse are sufficient, in a very unknown scenario, due to climate change.”
“We have to complete the PRR projects that are underway, but also start thinking about how to provide greater solidity and peace of mind to everyone in the region, whether in urban and tourist areas, as well as in economic activities, specifically golf. and agriculture. , an activity that has been very strong in recent years,” he concluded.
The understanding between both countries provides for a commitment of a daily flow in the Tagus and a monthly flow regime in the Guadiana River, in the Pomarão section, to guarantee the good condition of the estuary and the equitable distribution of the flows available for the use of both States.
The Joint Declaration of the XXXV Luso-Spanish Summit points out that the agreement “on the guiding principles for the establishment of a daily flow in the Tagus River, from the dam [espanhola] de Cedilho” aims to “maintain circulating flows.”
The joint statement also confirms the agreements already announced to regularize extractions in Alqueva by farmers from both countries, according to which Spanish users will pay Portugal for the water extracted, with the same conditions imposed by the Portuguese side.
Source: Observadora
