Portugal's water crisis exposes decades of underinvestment as Almada imposes cuts

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6 days · 3 summary articles
Portugal's water crisis exposes decades of underinvestment as Almada imposes cuts
Almadas mayor activates new boreholes as six districts face overnight water cuts
ContinuationMassive water damage closes Helsinki library as Europe faces drought and blackouts
The Portuguese town of Almada, just south of Lisbon, is grappling with a water crisis that has exposed decades of underinvestment in infrastructure, as authorities scramble to avert shortages during a heatwave. José Pimenta Machado, president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), confirmed on Friday that contingency measures imposed by Almada’s municipal government are beginning to stabilize the system, though he warned that sustained efforts are still required.
Speaking to Rádio Observador, Pimenta Machado dismissed suggestions that drought was to blame. “We are not in a drought,” he said. “This year, thanks to heavy rainfall in January, February, and March, the country’s reservoirs are at 86% capacity, and groundwater levels have recovered.” Instead, the crisis stems from a surge in demand: Almada’s daily consumption has risen by an average of 4% compared to last year, with some areas seeing increases as high as 15%. While the national average water use is 180 liters per person per day, Almada’s average is 300 liters, reaching 400 liters in certain zones.
The system’s current production stands at 50,000 cubic meters per day, against a daily consumption of 60,000 cubic meters—a deficit of 10,000 cubic meters. To address the shortfall, APA, the Almada Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (SMAS), and the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority (ERSAR) implemented a contingency plan on Tuesday. “The plan is working,” Pimenta Machado said. “Consumption is being reduced, and reservoirs are recovering levels. That’s good news, but everyone must keep up the effort.” A new borehole, expected to come online between Friday and the weekend, will add 1,800 cubic meters of daily capacity.
The crisis has forced emergency measures, including planned water cuts in six Almada localities—Feijó, Laranjeiro, Vale Flores, Barrocas, Cova da Piedade, and Chegadinho—from 10 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday. Municipal pools in Caparica, Sobreda, and Charneca de Caparica will also remain closed. The situation has drawn criticism over long-term neglect, with commentators noting that the heatwave merely exposed systemic failures. “The crisis in Almada reveals decades without investment in infrastructure,” wrote *Courrier International*, “a scenario reminiscent of the developing world.”
Meanwhile, across Europe, water shortages are straining resources in other regions. In Germany, the Domblickbad natural outdoor pool in Wetzlar, newly constructed at a cost of €7.2 million, remains closed after technical issues with its water treatment system were discovered shortly after its May opening. City officials confirmed on Thursday that new laboratory results did not meet the required standards for reopening. “Operation cannot be justified until the cause is identified and resolved,” a spokesperson said. Work to stabilize the biological filtration system is ongoing, with water quality showing “positive development” but still not fully compliant.
In Hungary, the iconic Kékszalag Raiffeisen Nagydíj sailing race, Europe’s oldest and longest lake-circling regatta, has been forced to alter its route due to dangerously low water levels in Lake Balaton. Organizers announced that the Keszthely buoy, originally positioned in the western basin, has been moved 1.6 kilometers eastward to ensure a minimum depth of 2.4 meters—critical for the participation of deep-draft classic yachts. The average water level at Siófok is just 66 centimeters, with forecasts predicting a further drop to 55 centimeters by race day on July 30. Tibor Verebély, race director, explained that the original route would have left some 10% of the fleet unable to compete, as depths would have fallen below the 2.2-meter draft of the historic Nemere II. The adjustment shortens the course by 3.2 kilometers but ensures broader participation.
The broader context of water stress is evident across the continent. In the Karlovy Vary region of the Czech Republic, health authorities have flagged poor water quality at several bathing sites, including Rolava Pool in Karlovy Vary, where bird flu larvae have been suspected, and Velký Rybník near Hroznětín, which suffers from severe pollution. In Slovenia, the Environment Agency (ARSO) has declared “extremely dry conditions” in parts of the Lower Sava Valley, Dolenjska, Bela krajina, Kočevje, and Slovenian Istria, warning that surface soil moisture will deteriorate further in the coming days.
Back in Almada, the immediate priority remains restoring balance to the water supply. Pimenta Machado emphasized that while the new borehole will help, systemic solutions are needed. “We must all continue to make an effort,” he said. “The measures are working, but this is not a time for complacency.”
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