The construction, which aims to fight the drought affecting the Algarve region, is expected to cost 90 million euros and will be financed by the Recovery Resilience Plan (PRR). The plant which will turn seawater into potable water will have a capacity of 16 cubic hectometres and is likely to be ready by the end of 2026, as it represents the last year in which the PRR funds can be utilised.

“This structural project for the region aims to guarantee the resilience of public supply to the population of the Algarve, particularly in periods of prolonged drought, through an increase in water availability”, the company has stated. António Eusébio, president of the Algarve Waters added, complementing the company’s workers, who “at a time of high process complexity, inherent to the challenges that water scarcity has been posing to the region”, have been working hard to meet deadlines.

Besides the desalination project, other initiatives are taking place as a way of battling the issue – stopping or reducing the irrigation of parks and green areas as well as the use of treated water to clean roads and irrigate golf courses. These procedures are strongly influenced by the Government’s water consumption restriction measures implemented in both the agriculture and the urban sector, which will be in place from March onwards.

Another solution, which is being considered in order to reduce the impact of the drought Portugal is currently facing, is the capture of water from the Guadiana River, which afterwards will be taken to the Odeleite dam. Apart from that, the construction of a new dam in the Foupana’s stream is also being considered.

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