Almada water cuts and protests spur new well project

A severe water shortage in the Portuguese municipality of Almada has led the city council to declare a situation of alert and impose nightly water cuts in up to twelve zones, restricting non‑essential uses such as garden irrigation, car washing and pool filling. Residents of Monte da Caparica and other neighborhoods have staged protests demanding an immediate restoration of supply.

The municipal water authority (SMAS) activated a contingency plan, created a crisis cabinet and began using tanker trucks in critical areas. The national Environment Minister, Maria da Graça Carvalho, announced that a new water‑intake well will be put into operation by the weekend, increasing system capacity by about 20 %. The regulator ERSAR warned that tap water may appear whitish after the cuts due to air in the pipes but assured that it remains safe for consumption. Sports facilities such as municipal pools will operate on a limited basis until the situation stabilises, which officials expect within two to three weeks.

The combined measures aim to restore reservoir levels and normalise supply while authorities continue to monitor consumption, which has risen sharply this summer.