According to provisional data from the APA referring to Tuesday (November 11), there has been an increase of approximately 172 hm3 (cubic hectometres) of stored water compared to the same period in 2024: 70 hm3 in the Sotavento region (corresponding to 41%) and 102 hm3 in the Barlavento region (corresponding to 59%).

“This is a very positive sign that reflects the impact of the water management and conservation measures implemented in the region,” Pimenta Machado, president of the APA, told Lusa news agency.

The volume of water stored in the six main reservoirs that supply the Algarve is 299 hm3 (cubic hectometres), which corresponds to 67% of the total capacity, according to APA figures.

In the Sotavento (east), the Odeleite dam is now at 70% of its capacity (91.48 hm3) and the Beliche dam at 68% (29.91 hm3).

In the Barlavento (west), the Odelouca dam has 72% of its capacity (113.53 hm3), the Arade dam 42% (11.90 hm3), the Bravura dam 44% (15.44 hm3) and the Funcho dam 78% (37.23 hm3).

According to the APA (Portuguese Environment Agency), comparing data from the beginning of the 2024 hydrological year, September 30th, to Tuesday, there is an approximate increase of 168 hm3 of stored water: 71 hm3 in the Sotavento region (corresponding to 42%) and 98 hm3 in the Barlavento region (58%).

The president of the APA emphasizes that the Algarve “must continue on this path of efficient and responsible water use, consolidating itself as a national example of good management of this essential resource.”

At the same time, he says, “now is the time to execute the projects” that will reinforce the region's water resilience, “preparing the Algarve to face, safely and sustainably, the challenges of the future.”

According to Pimenta Machado, “the improvement recorded in water reserves is the result of a joint effort of economy, efficiency and planning”.

However, he points out that this result “should be seen as an incentive to continue the work of sustainable water management and investment in solutions that strengthen the region's resilience”.

“The Algarve demonstrates, therefore, that it is possible to protect water resources and ensure a balance between development and environmental sustainability,” he concluded.