Portugal's Environment Minister Announces Major Water Projects

Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho traveled to Gouveia on 15 July to launch a public tender for the future Girabolhos dam. The project, first proposed in 2008 and cancelled in 2016, aims to provide water storage, multi‑purpose hydro‑electric power and flood management for the Mondego basin, benefiting the municipalities of Gouveia, Seia, Fornos de Algodres, Mangualde and Nelas.

Earlier, on 8 July in Vilamoura, she inaugurated Europe's largest water‑reuse station. The €14 million facility, financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan, can treat up to 1,000 m³ of wastewater per hour, supplying high‑quality reclaimed water to five golf courses, agricultural land and public gardens. The minister said the water is class A and ready for human use, and a pilot project will explore agricultural applications. Both initiatives are intended to strengthen Portugal's water resilience, reduce reliance on potable water and support a circular economy.