Portugal's Ambitious Water Management Plan: Aiming to Tackle Floods and Droughts

Portugal's Action Plan for Water Management

The Portuguese Government is gearing up to implement a comprehensive action plan aimed at mitigating the impacts of water scarcity and extreme rainfall due to climate change. This initiative was reported on Monday by the newspaper ‘Público’.

The working group, named ‘Água que Une’, was established through a joint order from the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture and began its activities last October. It is set to deliver a report to the government by the end of the year, proposing measures and practices for more effective water management across the country.

During the 42nd PSD Congress, Luís Montenegro announced plans to create a significant water infrastructure program, also titled ‘Água que Une’, which aims to transport, retain, and store this vital resource, ensuring its use for urban, agricultural, and tourism purposes for decades to come.

The plan may include suggestions for public infrastructure interventions, such as the construction of dams and enhancements to existing ones to prevent uncontrolled discharges. Investments for the project have been estimated in the billions of euros. As stated by José Manuel Fernandes, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the realization of the ‘Água que Une’ strategy will require a substantial investment, with the works managed by Águas de Portugal.

The ‘Água que Une’ program will focus on three essential areas: agriculture, human consumption, and environment. José Manuel Fernandes emphasized the need to ensure that when there is excess water, it can be removed or pumped to be stored and later distributed, thereby protecting lives.

The aim is not only to prevent water scarcity but also to mitigate the risks associated with flooding. Three key investments have been identified: the construction of the Pinhosão Dam to safeguard the Baixo Vouga area (especially the city of Águeda), the Girabolhos Dam on the Mondego River (protecting Coimbra and the future high-speed train station), and a dam on the Alportel River (targeting Tavira, which has experienced several flooding incidents recently).