en 
The numbers, released by the Portuguese Environment Agency, indicate that there was a decrease, compared to the end of August, in all monitored basins (60).
As for those with less water, one is in the Lima basin, another in the Mondego basin, two in the Algarve and five in the Sado basin. In Sado, the Campilhas dam is at 04%, the Monte da Rocha dam at 18%, with the Odivelas dam at 39% being the fullest.
The Mira and Ribeiras do Barlavento basins “continue with total storage values lower than the historical average values”, the bulletin says, in which it is also noted that the storages in September 2021 are higher than the September averages (taking into account 1990/91 to 2019/20), except for the Mira and Barlavento reservoirs and also Lima and Guadiana.
The Barlavento basins, which are in the worst situation, for an estimated average in September of 56.8, are with 16.6%.
The APA also notes that the reservoirs in the Eastern Algarve are below average, and that the most worrying case in the western Algarve is the Bravura dam, with water levels “below historical values” (17%).
The APA also notes that the Santa Clara dam, which supplies the irrigation perimeter of the southwest of Alentejo and the controversial greenhouses, "is 44% below the minimum level."
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But instead of creating decent quality housing for affordable prices, Portugal still prefers to build those horrendous cement boxes with dinky, pointless pools, huge over priced villas and sell land for avocado production (because other countries don't want to squander water resources). As always, Portugal complains but does nothing to protect the environment nor give its population quality in life.
By K from Algarve on 05 Oct 2021, 10:21
Just having a wonderful month in Alentejo it's no wonder the reservoirs are below average,the amount of fruit and olive trees which have blotted the countryside in the last 30years is appalling
By Dee from UK on 05 Oct 2021, 11:04
In the long run southern Europe is drying up with less rain from year to year and hotter summers to endure. Temperatures around 40 will be the norm during the summer months.
By Climate from Other on 05 Oct 2021, 11:26
With the acceleration of climate change, drier and hotter seasons it's inevitable that Portugal need to have a fundamental rethink on its water storage and supply strategy. Maybe the government should plan desalination and use water from the ocean that surrounds it's coastline... And yes it's not the most cost effective and cleanest solution but it's time to implement radical measures
By Steve from Algarve on 05 Oct 2021, 20:39
It’s about time portugal looked at there water waste!! Watering of grass and flower beds by councils every day is not required broken irrigation pipes water waste on construction sites and single buildings or house when re painting you don’t need to jet wash all walls and roofs crazy lastly the condominium cleaners to lazy to sweep and mop out side communal areas so just wash the small amount of dust away with 30 minutes of hose pipe cleaning ridiculous the environmentalist within the councils need to open there eyes
By Keith from Algarve on 06 Oct 2021, 08:36
That’s the point of a reservoir! To be used when rainfall is scarce, and to top back up during the wetter months. As a farmer once told me, water in a reservoir is not doing any good unless ii is being used. He has a point!
By Ian from Lisbon on 06 Oct 2021, 11:56
I would just like to add to what Keith has said, and with which I totally agree, that I see lots of water being wasted in a crazy way where I live in Quinat do Conde. For example, a local Continente has employed a team of workmen to plant shrubs on banks overlooking the supermarket and to see a large lawn in which saplings have been planted. It all looks great BUT it is being watered each day with sprinklers and this is being done in the blazing sunshine. Some of the water goes all over the pavement too. Elsewhere lawns between apartment blocks are watered in a similar way and I have seen a lot of this roof and wall washing going on here too. It almost looks as if the order has been given to go out and waste as much water as possible!
By Steve Andrews from Other on 06 Oct 2021, 14:21
Weren’t the reservoirs full earlier in the year? We all know it never rains between June and September. As soon as the winter rains come, they’ll start to fill up again.
By Tony from Lisbon on 08 Oct 2021, 00:48
It is quite apparant that the authorities need alternative supplies of water in the south or conserve the water they have. Demand is exceeding supplies and in the past year of high rainfall and low visitor numbers, it has not improved a great deal. It will only get worse. Radical change is necessary and soon.
Has pumping water from the north where rainful is higher to the south been seriously considered?
By Bruce from Algarve on 08 Oct 2021, 15:46