Portugal rivers and aquifers facing deterioration, Zero warns

The environmental association Zero has warned of the deteriorating state of rivers and aquifers across mainland Portugal. According to the association, documents guiding the 4th cycle of Hydrographic Region Management Plans (PGRH) for 2028-2033 confirm that water mass quality has regressed and that environmental objectives for the previous cycle will not be met.

Zero identified several causes for this failure, including insufficient investment, overly generic measures, a lack of commitment from various sectors, and the absence of clear governance mechanisms. The association noted that financial execution for these measures was only approximately 12% during 2022 and 2023, with 315 measures postponed and only 58 recorded as executed.

In response to the public consultation promoted by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), Zero is calling for the next management cycle to be based on measurable objectives, strict deadlines, guaranteed funding, and effective monitoring.