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Algarve |
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Water shortages could affect tourism
• 22 Mar 2007 •
WATER shortages in the Algarve could reach crisis level in future. When Portugal takes over the EU presidency in July, the Environment Minister Nunes Correia will open a debate on water supply. The discussions will be followed closely in the Algarve, a place of interest to the minister.
Nunes Correia recently finalised arrangements to recommence work on the Barragem de Oudelouce. When completed in 2010, the dam will serve an area ranging from Aljezur to Loule and should do much to solve drought problems.
Water supply in the Algarve is a controversial issue. Aguas do Algarve, which oversees the region’s supplies states that underground aquifers are low but agrees with local councils that there is sufficient water for 2007. On the other hand, data from Algarve University suggests recent rainfall has been too low to avoid a moderate drought.
The region depends on tourism and the income from its 10 million annual visitors is vital to the whole country. For example, 41 per cent of overnight hotel stays in Portugal are made in the Algarve. Whether staying in hotels, villas or second homes, visitors want water, yet most tourists arrive in summer when water is scarce.
Showers, swimming pools, gardens, water parks and golf courses consume vast quantities as does mixing concrete for building. Golf is one of the Algarve’s great attractions, yet a course needs 9 litres of water per square metre per day for around 300 hundred days annually. Typically, an 18-hole course covers 360,000 square metres.
Economics dictates the amount of building and golf course construction across the Algarve. The challenge will be to continue to supply water for tourism and development. Water conservation will be an issue and any help the minister receives from Portugal’s European partners will be welcome. |  Return to Top
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