Águas do Algarve open treatment plants for guided tours
Seven Águas do Algarve facilities will be open for guided tours over the next two months, with the aim of raising the awareness of the population, to reduce water consumption and promote practices that encourage its efficient use.
If you've always wanted to know where the water that reaches your tap comes from, what treatments it undergoes and how wastewater is treated in the Algarve, then this is the perfect opportunity to learn a little more about the water that surrounds you.
The guided tours are part of the campaign promoted by the Águas de Portugal Group and the Portuguese Environment Agency: "Water is life - Don't waste it".
“We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to bring you the best water of excellent quality and return it to the environment in the best conditions. Since water quality is at the centre of our daily lives, we work with high standards of excellence in our different facilities”, explained Águas do Algarve in a statement.
Until September 14th 2023, “we open the doors on 15 dates at 7 of our facilities so that you can get to know up close, in loco, all of the procedures and care taken with water, so that it reaches you in excellent condition”.
“Because taking care of water is also taking care of life, learn with us to value this precious asset that is increasingly scarce in our region”, say Águas do Algarve.
Águas do Algarve employees will guide visitors on the following dates, at the stated location:
July 14th – WWTP Companhã at 10:00 am
July 19th – ETA Tavira at 10:00 am
July 21st – WWTP Faro Olhão at 10:00 am
July 21st – WWTP Almargem at 10:00 am
July 26th – ETA Alcantarilha at 10:00 am
July 27th – WWTP Albufeira West at 2:30 pm
August 2nd – ETA Tavira at 10:00 am
August 9th – Alcantarilha ETA at 10:00 am
August 10th – WWTP Albufeira West at 2:30 pm
August 16th – ETA Tavira at 10:00 am
August 17th – WWTP Faro Olhão at 10:00 am
August 23 – WWTP Companhã at 10:00 am
September 14 – WWTP Faro Olhão at 10:00 am
September 14 – Odelouca Dam at 10:30 am
Albufeira: British man drowns in hotel pool
A 30 year old British man died yesterday afternoon, after drowning in the pool of the Hotel Paraís in Albufeira, showing signs of a heart attack.
The alert to emergency services was given at 14:00h when the man was found in the hotel swimming pool, apparently in cardiac arrest. He was holidaying with his family.
When the emergecny services arrived at the hotel, lifeguards had already pulled the man out of the water and were trying to revive him. Albufeira Firefighters and the Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle arrived on the scene to help the young man, but their efforts to revive him were not successful and death was declared on the spot by a doctor.
The reason for the tragedy is still not officially confirmed, but investigators from the GNR and the Criminal Investigation Nucleus are expected to talk to any witnesses about what happened, while they await the results of the man's autopsy.
Youngsters stopped for speeding are arrested for drug trafficking
The GNR in Portimão arrested two young people aged 20 and 22, for drug trafficking after they were caught speeding by a radar on the A22.
During a road inspection action, the GNR ordered the vehicle in which the two individuals were travelling to stop because the radar detected they were driving over the speed limit. The driver of the vehicle ignored orders to pull over and continued to drive along the motorway.
The vehicle was intercepted by the GNR a few kilometres later and the security search of the vehicle resulted in the police discovering a haul of narcotic products.
Authorities seized 37 doses of marijuana, 17 doses of cocaine, 141 doses of "undifferentiated product," 2 bottles of nitrous oxide, €4,924.53 in cash, 3 mobile phones and the vehicle.
The defendants will appear at the Judicial Court of Portimão.
“Safe Communities Portugal Protection against Natural Disasters" Facebook Group is launched
On Saturday 8th July 2023 Associação Safe Communities launched a new Facebook group entitled, “Safe Communities Portugal Protection against Natural Disasters”. The purpose is to help create greater awareness and knowledge of the effects of climate change and the impacts resulting extreme weather conditions have on people’s livelihoods in Portugal.
David Thomas President of Safe Communities Portugal stated “that the decision was taken following our participation in the recent International Wildfire Conference in Porto attended by 1600 experts from overseas and more recently a meeting between Safe Communities and the President of the National Authority for Civil Protection (ANEPC)”
He added, “It is clear that climate change drives disaster risk and as such we need to respond”. “Awareness” and “preparation” are the key words as without understanding the risks we cannot not be prepared and therefore take the right measures to protect ourselves, family, and property from such disasters.
The new group has got off to a good start with over 220 people joining in the first two days.
Given the emphasis placed globally, including Portugal, on Climate change and disaster management, we feel that a dedicated Facebook group should be formed to help those who have properties in Portugal or just visiting, by providing a “focal point” of knowledge and advice with links to various experts and qualified sources, which is easy to access, as well as opportunities for group members to share with others their own experiences.
The groups aim is to provide a forum on the topic of natural disasters, such as wildfires, drought, damage caused by extreme weather events such as flooding, as well as earthquakes and tsunamis and how they affect the lives of people in, or visiting, Portugal.
Portugal is suffering from the effects of climate change, with fires occurring over longer periods (rather than mainly in the summer), burning with higher intensity and sometimes lasting over several days or more. This scenario, exacerbated by drought conditions, will continue in the future and is forecast to worsen, with heatwaves becoming more frequent and severe - so we need to be prepared for this.
Therefore, it is important to understand the risks and measures that can be implemented. Examples include: how to reduce the risks and potential impact, by being prepared; knowledge on ways to protect ourselves, family and our property as well as actions to take during disasters and in the aftermath of such events.
We hope that we can go a long way in achieving this and we invite you to participate in becoming a member of this unique group here in Portugal. The Group is: “Safe Communities Portugal Protection against Natural Disasters”.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/safecommunitiesportugalprotectionnaturaldisasters
We thank admins from various Facebook community groups in Portugal for supporting this initiative and promoting it among their followers.
São Brás de Alportel: 17 arrested for suspected drug trafficking
Police in São Brás de Alportel have arrested 17 people suspected of belonging to a drug trafficking network, operating in the regions of São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, Faro, Olhão and Tavira.
During the operation involving the GNR of Faro and and Beja (Alentejo), a total of 22 searches were carried out in homes, vehicles and commercial establishments.
In a statement, the security force indicated that the detainees, 14 men and three women, aged between 19 and 60, were present this Saturday at the Faro court, having been given preventive detention.
According to the GNR, the suspects allegedly belonged to a drug trafficking network that operated mainly in the municipalities of São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, Faro, Olhão and Tavira.
The arrests resulted from an investigation that had been going on for about a year, by the Criminal Investigation Nucleus of Faro da Guarda.
Associated searches resulted in the seizure of 9,667 doses of heroin, 7,632 of cocaine, 2,855 of hashish, 258 doses and 29 cannabis plants, six firearms, an air gun and various items used in the preparation and packaging of narcotics.
A defense aerosol, various computer and communications equipment, gold jewellery and more than €69,000 in cash were also seized.
