"This investment, which I have given the green light to, is a crucial step towards facing the challenges posed by the drought that has affected the Algarve,” says Maria da Graça Carvalho, quoted in a press release from the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The government official adds that “this Government intends to ensure that the region’s water infrastructure is strengthened and that water management is carried out efficiently, guaranteeing a sustainable and continuous supply for the population.”

According to the press release, the approved financing is aimed at building new water intakes, rehabilitating existing infrastructure, reducing water losses, and improving supply systems.

The investment will be made by the company Águas do Algarve and is financed by the Environmental Fund.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, 4 million euros will be invested in the construction of new groundwater intakes and the rehabilitation of existing strategic public intakes, to strengthen the public water supply system.

Secondly, 700 thousand euros will be invested in the “temporary reinforcement” of teams for the exploitation of strategic catchments, ensuring, according to the Government, “efficient management and rigorous quality control”.

Finally, the rehabilitation of the Castro Marim sewage network, with which the government intends to ensure the reduction of undue inflows and improve the efficiency of the system, will receive half a million euros of investment.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy highlights that “the planned actions have well-defined deadlines for their completion”, highlighting the end of the first phase of the works in December 2024, the second phase in March 2025, and the completion in December 2025.