Algarve Municipalities Push for Foupana and Alportel Dams Construction: A Water Solution for the Region

Algarve Intermunicipal Community Advocates for Dam Construction

The Algarve Intermunicipal Community has reaffirmed the critical need for the construction of the Foupana and Alportel dams. This initiative aligns with the aspirations of the Beneficiaries Association of the Sotavento Irrigation Plan (ABPRSA), which highlighted the advantages these reservoirs could bring to the entire region during the latest Intermunicipal Council meeting.

Importance of Water Storage

For the Algarve municipalities, it is indisputable that the Alportel and Foupana projects will significantly enhance the water storage capacity in the region. During the meeting on January 10, the ABPRSA president, Macário Correia, emphasized the added value these projects represent.

Benefits Beyond Agriculture

In addition to agricultural benefits, the municipalities underline the importance of these dams for increasing water reserves in the Algarve, leading to better urban consumption and potentially lower tariffs.

• The Foupana dam will reinforce both Sotavento and Barlavento, helping to reduce domestic water tariffs. The ABPRSA estimates that around 50hm3 of water could be utilized from the Ribeira da Foupana, significantly boosting storage capacity.
• This project is essential for expanding the irrigation perimeter from Moncarapacho to Almancil, ensuring agricultural independence from a highly pressured aquifer, which is sometimes contaminated by saline intrusion.

Alportel Dam's Role

The Alportel dam, with a storage capacity of 10hm3, will not only increase water reserves but also aid in flood control, particularly protecting Tavira from potential inundations.

Diversifying Water Sources

The municipalities also stress the importance of diversifying water sources, advocating for the extraction of water from the Guadiana River at Pomarão and connecting the Alqueva dam system to Beliche-Odeleite, originating from Santa Clara/Monte da Rocha.

According to the statement sent to the press, “With these projects and the construction of the desalination plant, the Algarve would be better prepared to tackle the region’s water scarcity issues, whether for population supply or economic activities.”