José Pimenta Machado, president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), has revealed that, “for the first time, the average volume of water stored in Algarve reservoirs (87%) has exceeded the national average (83%)”, in part thanks to exceptionally heavy rainfall this winter.
The information was shared by the head of the APA on social media, where Pimenta Machado has been posting regular updates on water levels in the Algarve’s reservoirs.
In total, the Algarve has a storage capacity of 388 hectometres cubed (hm³), and “preventive releases are already under way at all five Algarve reservoirs, as a management and safety measure”.
The only exception lies at the Bravura dam, which continues to hold below-average reserves, at around 55%. However, expectations are that levels may improve with further rainfall forecast for the Algarve in the coming weeks.
For now, and with existing reserves considered sufficient for “three to four years”, the current wet spell “gives us room to prepare for the years ahead. Drought will return, now is the time to manage wisely, deliver projects that build resilience, and remember that water remains a scarce resource”.
Source: APA
