“We are in the best situation ever. We have never been like this. We have reservoirs literally full. The Bravura [reservoir], in the Algarve, which the Portuguese know for having no water, is at 99%,” said José Pimenta Machado, at the presentation of the balance of aquifers and strategic water reserves, which took place today at the APA.

“This train of storms caused a lot of damage, but it brought one good thing, which was to replenish our reservoirs and our aquifers. Now we will manage and monitor,” added the president of the APA.

Given the favourable reservoir situation, restrictions on licensing new groundwater extractions have been lifted, except for Campina de Faro. José Pimenta Machado explained that, for large-scale use, automatic reports of water consumption will be required to enable monitoring.

These reports will be made via telemetry, as already happens in the Algarve region, added the APA president.

The Minister of the Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, was also present at the presentation of the most recent data on the hydrographic situation, and she explained that "the situation in the dams is comfortable for the summer, for human consumption and for agricultural, industrial and tourism activities."

Despite the positive scenario, the Minister of the Environment stressed that moderate water use is necessary: ​​"We need to be aware that, from one moment to the next, we may have less rain, and the indications we have are that we will have a difficult summer."