“The measures are proving to be effective”, said the Minister of the Environment and Climate Action, João Matos Fernandes.
According to Matos Fernandes, in two of the reservoirs, Aguieira and Touvedo, the “critical situation” has already been overcome and “they have more than 70% of water”.
Globally, he added, “all the reservoirs are recovering”.
Asked what measures could be taken in the future to solve the problems caused by the drought, Matos Fernandes did not rule out the possibility that, at the beginning of March, more measures would be taken, or extended, to restrict the use of water.
“At the moment the situation is stable, but as I said from the beginning, if we have to extend this measure to other dams, we will do it”, he said, stressing that “the main function of water from dams will always be human consumption” and that, in all of them, it has to be guaranteed that there is enough water for two years of this consumption.
The analysis of the situation and possible adjustments to the measures implemented on the ground will take place “at the beginning of March, as agreed”, he recalled, at which time it will be decided “whether it is necessary to extend this measure to other dams”.
For now, there are five dams whose water will only be used to produce electricity for about two hours a week, guaranteeing minimum values for system maintenance: Alto Lindoso and Touvedo, in the district of Viana do Castelo, Alto Rabagão, in Montalegre, Cabril ( Castelo Branco) and Castelo de Bode (Santarém).
The water from the Bravura dam, in the western Algarve, can no longer be used for irrigation.
A minimum quota to be maintained was adopted for these six dams, intended to guarantee the supply of water for human consumption for two years.
“We have to know how to adapt”, he said, giving agriculture as an example, with “cultures that use the least amount of water possible” and “continued investment” in urban networks to reduce water losses.
The drought monitoring commission will meet again in early March.