Portugal invests in water reuse and public drinking infrastructure

The Portuguese government has allocated 30 million euros to support the production of reclaimed water (ApR). Through the Sustainable 2030 program, the funds aim to finance investments in adapting wastewater treatment plants (ETAR) to transform treated wastewater into reusable water. This initiative seeks to promote water resource circularity and address water scarcity across mainland Portugal. Eligible recipients include municipalities, municipal associations, state-owned companies, and local or intermunicipal concessionaires, with co-financing rates reaching up to 85%. The first phase of this funding is available until May 20, 2027.

In a separate regional initiative, Vimágua is launching a campaign to install drinking fountains in schools, gardens, parks, and other public spaces in Guimarães and Vizela. The project aims to encourage the consumption of public tap water and reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles. The rollout began at the Escola Secundária das Taipas and is intended to expand across Guimarães and parts of Vizela by the end of the current mandate to promote more sustainable consumption habits.