The Portuguese government has announced a partial lifting of restrictions on groundwater extraction in the Algarve, following a significant recovery due to winter rains. Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Minister of Environment, highlighted a "significant recovery" in seven groundwater basins, leading to the removal of water extraction bans in 60,000 hectares of these areas. However, the aquifer of Querença/Silves remains excluded from this relief.
Despite the positive developments, a 5% restriction on water consumption in the region will remain in place. The minister pointed out that the situation remains encouraging thanks to the "exceptional hydrological year of 2025." Yet, the drought situation in the Algarve will be reassessed in the next committee meeting, considering forecasts of a very hot summer.
Currently, Algarve's reservoirs are at 83% of their capacity, totaling 372 cubic hectometers of water. This marks an increase of 196 cubic hectometers compared to the same period last year.
In other news, the construction of a desalination plant in Albufeira, with an estimated investment of 108 million euros, is set to begin in September.
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