In response to questions put by Lusa, the APA stated that the scant precipitation in the last year and current usage have led to “significant drops” in water levels, “both in [downstream] aquifer systems and in the region’s [hillier] interior.

The situation, it warned “may lead to less deep water abstractions drying up”, forcing the use of backup reserves.

“So long as there is no significant precipitation that could restore water reserves (both surface and subterranean), it is important to preserve existing subterranean waters, so as to augment and cover water needs that may arise.”

Water levels have been measured once a month for more than 15 years, and longer in the case of some parts of the Tagus basin.

As for reservoirs, the APA notes that of the 19 in the Tagus basin region with significant storage capacity, just six – one of which is in Santarém district – are less than 40% full.

The APA noted that the continued drought prompted an intern-ministerial commission on the subject that was set up in June to approve a range of measures at the end of October that include a careful and constant analysis of the development of storage levels of reservoirs in strict articulation with the various users, so as to promote a rational use of water and minimise the effects on activities, always guaranteeing the needs of priority uses.”