CCDR: Projects to finance the urban water cycle in the Algarve exceed 59 million
The projects presented by municipalities and the company Águas do Algarve for European funding within the scope of the Urban Water Cycle exceed 59.3 million euros, announced today the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission ( CCDR ).
"The Algarve 2030 Regional Programme had received 19 applications by September 15th, representing a global investment of over 59.3 million euros, reflecting a new impetus that sustainable water management in the Algarve is gaining," highlighted the CCDR in a statement.
The Algarve Regional Development Council (CCDR) clarified that these projects have an "average co-financing rate of 60% from the ERDF [European Regional Development Fund]" and that, as a whole, they "reinforce the priority given to water efficiency and resilience in the region," which is one of the areas of the country most affected by drought and lack of rain and water reserves.
"The government, through the Ministry of Environment and Energy, will also reinforce public support for the national counterpart in loss reduction projects presented by municipalities," added the Algarve regional body.
The CDDR specified that the urban water cycle includes the high-volume supply, which covers "the entire multi-municipal system, from the collection, treatment and transport of water to the municipalities", and is "guaranteed by Águas do Algarve, which submitted applications for a global investment of over 39 million euros".
"Within the scope of the urban water cycle in decline, which includes municipal water distribution and wastewater collection networks, 15 applications were submitted, representing an estimated total investment of 18.3 million euros," he added.
The CCDR indicated that these projects involve "municipalities, municipal and state public companies, in their capacity as water and sanitation management entities", such as the Portimão Municipal Water and Waste Company (EMARP), Tavira Verde, Ambiolhão, Inframoura and the Councils of Lagos, Lagoa, Castro Marim, Silves and Monchique.
The projects aim to reduce losses in urban water networks, rehabilitate obsolete infrastructure, prevent and mitigate saline intrusion in sanitation networks, reuse treated wastewater for non-potable purposes, or expand and modernize sanitation networks, he explained.
"With an initial allocation of around 66 million euros of European funds earmarked for water, the ALGARVE 2030 Regional Programme establishes this public policy as a strategic priority," the CCDR stressed.
In addition to these objectives, the "implementation of intelligent monitoring systems for water supply, sanitation and water resources systems" is also planned, he noted.
"The Algarve region is well aware that water is life, and the mobilization of these investments demonstrates the priority the Algarve gives to the sustainability of one of the vital resources for the region's development: water," the institution added.
The CCDR Algarve also announced that, on Wednesday, in Faro, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, will participate at 9:30 am in the signing ceremony of a protocol between the Management Authority of the ALGARVE 2030 Regional Program and the Climate Agency (ApC)/Environmental Fund.
Algarve 2030 Applications – Urban Water CycleBy September 15, 2025, 19 applications had been submitted to the Algarve 2030 Regional Program, within the scope of the Urban Water Cycle, for a global investment of over 59.3 million euros.
Águas do Algarve presented several structural projects:
- Strengthening water resilience through the rehabilitation of underground water intakes, a measure integrated into the Drought Plan, with an investment of 7.76 million euros.
- Renovation of the Paderne WWTP and Purgatório Elevatory System, costing 6.19 million euros, for effluent treatment and increased capacity.
- Reinforcement of the High Water Supply and Supply to the municipality of Loulé, with 21.86 million euros, aiming to modernize the supply system and reduce pressure on surface sources.
- Development of an integrated intelligent system for operational efficiency of the Water Supply in Alta do Algarve, with 4.5 million euros.
Among the municipalities, the following stand out:
- Monchique, with the rehabilitation and automation of the system at a high cost, at a cost of 643 thousand euros.
- Lagoa, with the expansion of the sanitation network of the Urbanização do Pintadinho (226 thousand euros) and the remodeling and expansion of the Sesmarias reservoir (2.56 million euros).
- Lagos, with a project to reduce saline intrusion into the urban system (340 thousand euros).
- Vilamoura (Inframoura EM), with a water distribution system for reuse (ApR), worth 1.49 million euros.
- Olhão (Ambiolhão EM), with reduction of saltwater intrusion into wastewater networks in the lower area (669 thousand euros).
- Portimão (EMARP), with rehabilitation of manholes and inspection of collectors to reduce infiltration (230 thousand euros).
- Armação de Pêra (Silves), with requalification of drainage and rainwater networks on Rua D. João II and SB Messines (982 thousand euros).
- Tavira (Taviraverde EM), with elimination of saline intrusions in coastal sanitation infrastructures, investment of 5.04 million euros.
- Castro Marim, with modernization of the water supply in the parish of Azinhal, totaling 1.71 million euros.
- Portimão (EMARP), with the execution of pipelines at the Pereira – Mexilhoeira Grande site, for 369 thousand euros.
- Silves, with four projects: water supply to the Tinhosas area (1.12 million euros), supply to the town of Mouriço (469 thousand euros), improvement of the Portela pumping station (1.39 million euros), rehabilitation of the Monte de São José reservoir (746 thousand euros) and the Vale de Lousas reservoir (1.9 million euros).
In total, these projects range from reducing losses and saline intrusion, to modernizing infrastructure and reservoirs, including the reuse of treated wastewater and smart monitoring, reinforcing the Algarve's water efficiency and resilience.
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