The Minister of the Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, who attended the meeting of the Regional Drought Subcommittee in Faro, admitted that municipalities that do not comply may be penalised.

In turn, António Miguel Pina, president of the Municipality of Olhão and of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), highlighted “the notable effort that was made because consumption increased year after year. We managed to reverse, in one year, an ever-increasing trend in consumption”.

Some municipalities achieved better results than others, with the mayor of Olhão highlighting the performance of ‘his’ municipality, which achieved the target set: “The citizens of Olhão are to be congratulated, they fulfilled what was stipulated”, praised António Miguel Pina, highlighting the need to continue saving water, so that there is no shortage of water in the taps.

In the Algarve, the dams are at 35% of their capacity, with water guaranteed for only one year. Even so, the level is higher than that at the same time last year and, as such, the Minister of the Environment guarantees that, at least for now, there will be no further restrictions.