AHSA proposes worker housing and water infrastructure in Alentejo

The Association of Horticulturists, Fruit Growers, and Floriculturists of Odemira and Aljezur (AHSA) has unveiled a strategic plan to address labor and water shortages in the Southwest Alentejo region.

The association aims to build the first of four collective housing units for temporary workers by 2029. The initial unit, estimated to cost approximately four million euros, is designed to accommodate 500 workers. AHSA president Luís Mesquita Dias stated that the long-term goal is to provide housing for roughly 2,000 workers through four units over the next eight years. The association is seeking a 50% public funding contribution from the government, citing a similar model used in Spain.

To address water scarcity, AHSA is prioritizing the interconnection of the Alqueva and Santa Clara dams. Specifically, the association advocates for linking the Monte da Rocha dam in Ourique to the Santa Clara dam in Odemira. This project could potentially deliver 25 million cubic meters of water annually to the Santa Clara dam, more than doubling recent annual consumption levels. While AHSA views this interconnection as a faster and more cost-effective solution than desalination, the association maintains that a desalination plant will eventually be necessary for the region.