The Mayor of Viana do Castelo, Luís Nobre, announced that an investment of 50 thousand euros to install a system that will allow the municipality to save water and energy. It will be done "gradually" and will have "an immediate impact in the first year, in terms of savings of 200 thousand euros," said the mayor.


"It's a new measure that will involve an investment of 50,000 euros. We will act in 19 municipal equipment, from pavilions, pools, schools and fire departments. We are going to replace the entire shower system, not only to reduce water consumption, but also the energy associated with heating this water," described Luís Nobre.


According to the mayor, "in a demanding moment", the municipality understands "that it makes sense to invest 50 thousand euros to save four times that amount". Moreover, the mayor explained: "We comply with a principle of sustainability and contribute to good practices, but also to an immediate response, with impact on the municipality's accounts, particularly with the costs associated with energy," he specified.


Luís Nobre also said that "the market consultation procedure" for the acquisition of the system to be installed in the municipal’s showers "is underway", but estimated that within two months the first equipment will be installed.


"With this mechanism we will understand its efficiency, trying to include this in the buildings that have the largest number of shower facilities," he said.


The measure announced to Lusa by the mayor is part of the municipal water and energy saving plan that will be presented by the end of the week. The document resulted from "the challenge launched to municipal services to deepen the plan implemented in March, in order to reduce water consumption for watering gardens and green spaces and urban cleaning.”


According to the mayor, "the consolidation of this plan arises from the need to also act on energy due to its impact on municipal accounts. It is a significant impact, which will also happen in other municipalities.


Luís Nobre stated that "the whole executive team has mobilised to find the largest number of solutions, within the sensibility of each service, to implement this in the short and medium term".


"More than the economic effect, the municipal plan intends to alert to the principles of environmental sustainability, appealing to the relationship with both water and energy. We have to change our behaviour and our individual and collective attitude towards these two essential sources," he concluded.