Algarve municipalities surpass PRR targets for cutting water losses

Algarve municipalities have surpassed the water-saving targets set under Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), following investments of more than €40 million to modernise the region’s public water supply network.

According to the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), municipalities and municipal water companies invested the money in the rehabilitation of local water distribution systems between 2021 and 2026, with the projects coordinated by AMAL as the intermediary body for the national Recover Portugal (Recuperar Portugal)mission structure.

The programme resulted in the replacement or rehabilitation of more than 160 kilometres of water supply network, comfortably exceeding the PRR target of 125 kilometres, the association says.

AMAL also estimates the works have saved more than 2.15 million cubic metres (hm³) of water, surpassing the programme’s target of two million cubic metres.

The improvements come as the Algarve continues efforts to improve its water resilience, making the reduction of leaks in public supply networks a key priority for the region.

The investment is set to continue under the Algarve 2030 Regional Programme, with €42.5 million in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) financing already allocated for new water management projects.

The funding will support improvements to drinking water supply systems, infrastructure designed to reduce saltwater intrusion into coastal urban networks, wastewater treatment, water reuse, further reductions in real and apparent water losses, and the digitalisation of water management systems.

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Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.