Despite the reduction in consumption in the urban, tourism and agricultural sectors, the Algarve remains in a situation of extreme hydrological drought, with “very low levels of groundwater and surface reserves”, highlighted José Pimenta Machado.

“This slight reduction is a positive sign that people are using less water and shows a relevant trend in the measures that are being implemented, whether in the urban sector, tourism and agriculture”, he highlighted.

Still, he added, the reduction “is far from the 15% intended” to guarantee water sustainability in the Algarve, in accordance with the guidelines of the Drought Commission.

If in January there was a 4.6% increase in consumption, compared to the same period last year (200,000 cubic meters (m3) more), in February 20,000 m3 less water was consumed in the region, he noted.

Pimenta Machado considered that the reduction reflects the measures implemented, namely the suspension of watering of public gardens, street washing and the closure of ornamental fountains, "a path that municipalities are taking" in accordance with the recommendations of the Drought Commission.

According to data provided by APA, of the 19 entities responsible for urban water supply in the Algarve, only seven of the 16 Algarve municipalities recorded a reduction in consumption: Albufeira (-0.85%), Alcoutim (-26.91%) , Castro Marim (-16.04%), Lagoa (-2.26%), Loulé (-0.49%), Silves (-9.14%) and Vila do Bispo (-5.23%)).

In the same direction, there are three municipal companies in the municipality of Loulé: Infralobo (-20.07%), Inframoura (-11.97%) and Infraquinta (-17.18%).

With higher consumption are the municipalities of Aljezur (+4.19%), Lagos (+9.24%), Monchique (+18.36%) and São Brás de Alportel (+7.39%).

The increase was also seen in municipal companies: Águas de Vila Real de Santo António (+9.98%), AmbiOlhão (+0.23%) EMARP, in Portimão (+1.79%), Fagar, in Faro ( +5.73%) and Tavira Verde (+1.61%).

The six reservoirs – Bravura, Odelouca, Arade, Funcho, Odeleite and Beliche – that supply the Algarve region total a volume of around 151 cubic hectometers (hm3), which corresponds to 34% of the total storage capacity.

In the last week of January, there was an increase of around 0.01 hm3 in the storage of the main surface reserves, but there is a decrease of 50 hm3 compared to the same period in 2023.

According to the vice-president of APA, the Algarve is going through “the worst drought, with the lowest ever levels of water reserves in all six reservoirs”.

“Despite the recent rains, which allowed an increase from 25% to 34%, the extreme drought situation continues and is worrying, making it essential to reduce consumption for sustainability”, warned Pimenta Machado.

The Algarve has been on alert due to drought since February 5th, and the Government has approved a set of measures to restrict consumption, namely a 15% reduction in the urban sector, including tourism, and a 25% reduction in agriculture.

In addition to these measures, there are others such as combating losses in supply networks, the use of treated water to irrigate green spaces, streets and golf courses or the suspension of the granting of titles for the use of water resources.

The Government has already admitted to increasing the level of restrictions, declaring a state of environmental emergency or calamity, if the measures now implemented are insufficient to address water scarcity in the region.

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