this from the algarve observer....if this goes on I wonder if there will be a lot of houses with brown and dead gardens..oh dear...I knew I should have bought a place in des res Bagdad




Drought
Algarve has enough water for six months

9/15/2005 7:56:00 PM
The Algarve region only has reserves of water for domestic consumption for the next six months, if the current drought situation persists. According to the President of the Algarve Metropolitan Committee, Macário Correia, a range of urgent measures are to be taken in order to ensure a regular supply until the end of 2006.

What is at issue is the supply of 25 to 30 million cubic metres of water, which are needed to guarantee domestic consumption until the end of the year.

The leader of the Algarve Metropolitan Committee explained that we are in the same situation as a car that keeps going for a few kilometres even after the fuel warning light has come on.

In view of the situation, the company Águas do Algarve is to go ahead with a series of works in its plants with the aim of drawing an increased supply of water. In addition, the National Water Institute (Inag) is carrying out a series of studies to find other viable resources.

At the end of a working meeting that was held at the Algarve Coordination and Development Committee (CCDR), Macário Correia said that they would make use of water from aquifers and the surface waters of certain sources, in the cases of the Rogil and Foupana, adding that the work could be carried out in months.

Macário Correia, who is also President of Tavira Council, added that if there is more than 300/350 millimetres of precipitation (which is approaching the average), the situation will ease in relative terms and return to normal. But there is no certainty that this will happen.

Even with new sources, the possibility of a regular domestic supply only refers to domestic consumption, with the agriculture sector also waiting for answers.

Macário Correia warned, however, that there is continuing need to save domestic water.

The leader of the Metropolitan Committee also stressed the need to go ahead with investments to solve the problem in the medium and longer term, which include, above all, drawing water from the sea and treating it (desalination), the construction of new dams, and transporting water over long distances from the river Guadiana.
The President concluded by saying that these are necessary public investments which the region demands.

Hmmm...must say I am getting a little worried, as the guy I know, who wrote the desalination article/letter I posted here a few weeks ago is moving to Scandinavia soon

Actually, I have always fancied myself as a female version of Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia riding around on a camel.

With that much water still left Martin, it must be time to anounce the building of one million more villas and 50,000 new golf courses in the Algarve then

Sorry, I am in a silly mood this evening...it's Friday after all

The leader of the Algarve Metropolitan Committee explained that we are in the same situation as a car that keeps going for a few kilometres even after the fuel warning light has come on.

Listen to him.

Martin,

RE: INFERSTRUCTURES, WATER and THE CONTROL OF:-

If I have understood correctly, did the EU not give Portugal monies for such things as D.Plants "throughout" Portugal?
(You will no doubt recall the monies allocated for the motorway and then the delay in finishing it and the reason why. I believe it was finally completed by the Spanish).

There seems to me, little importance given prior to construction out here of the inferstructures, which of course includes water. I mean to say and not wishing to detract to much from the actual subject. When a construction is completed and prior to any occupancy, various departments (one of which the fire brigade) have to attend the site on the grounds of Health & Safety. Once a site inspection has been carried out, certification such as a Habitation Licence is granted. But in reality I suspect that most reading this forum will be aware more often than not does not happen. By way of very brief example if in the UK someone builds without consent, 95% per cent of the time it has to be removed. A stone's throw from our residence here, are 2 seperate and in total illegal buildings and to which would you believe, the local fire truck delivers water. Both buildings also have electricty. I adore our photographs of the Fire Engine delivering water and we are all praying i.e.we live in the heart of countryside that the fire trunk will not be called back poste haste i.e. the Portuguese occupants enjoying bonfires in the middle of August.

I can only hazzard a guess at the numer of all the illegale buildings (for starters) in the Algarve and I am not talking about the odd extension. I am refering to complete new villas and similiar and some where no building stood before.

In Vale da Vila, Silves 2/3 yrs ago several boreholes were drilled and the local farmers/people were delighted. However, their delight soon turned to anger, when they watched the tankers coming in and as I understand it Silves is selling it to another camara.

Finally on my list of moans this morning, is that I and I have no doubt several in Silves are extremely concerned about the mammoth project of 2 Golf courses and a multitude of complex, which commences around the Splash & Slide roundabout and the turn off to Silves and spreads right across to Alcantarilia. The high Golf Ball, which I understand represents the office can been seen for miles.

Do you not find that such a situation here in the Algarve (Portugal) always seems to be that when they do sit up and take any notice it is not a case of trying to close the gate........the horse like Red Rum having already "WELL" bolted? .......Could it be do you think a "WELL" thought out plan" Well here we go again "Hello is there a light on in there" somewhere?

Not so much a light on in there Nightrider, more like a one arm bandit with loads of Euro signs...ding...ding...ding....ding