en 
In a statement sent to The Portugal News: “It is urgent and absolutely necessary to save water in the Algarve and the change in tariffs is part of a set of measures, already announced by the Government, to reduce water consumption by 15%, given the serious drought problem in the region. Restricting consumption to what is strictly essential is the objective of this measure”.
The changes were decided at a meeting held at the Algarve Intermunicipal Community, and are based on the proposal from the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Entity (ERSAR).
The increases leave out the first tier, in the second the increase will be 15%, in the third 30% and in the fourth tier it reaches 50%.
The tiers are not the same in all municipalities, but, in general, consumption is distributed as follows:
- First tier: up to 5m3 of consumption per month. It is exempt from the increase.
- Second tier: between 5 and 15m3 of monthly consumption. Covers most consumers.
- Third tier: goes from 15 to 25m3 of consumption.
- Fourth tier: above 25m3.
Water cuts
According to AMAL, Algarve municipalities are obliged to reach the target of 15% in reducing water consumption, established by the Government, and fines will be applied in cases where uses considered excessive persist. Municipalities that, for the second consecutive month, do not reduce consumption, suffer a reduction in the water supplied to them, which means that they will have less water available in their taps.
The president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community hopes that with these measures we will gain “real awareness of the serious problem we are experiencing in the Algarve region, which requires everyone's involvement and effort”. António Pina considers that in the case of the second tier, which includes the vast majority of consumers, “if a family saves 15% on consumption, the increase in tariffs will be zero. In the remaining tiers, if consumers adopt the same stance, they will also not feel the rise in tariffs, but anyone who does not save, who is not in solidarity with all other consumers and continues to use more water than they should and need, will be penalized”.
Of the 16 municipalities in the Algarve, only Silves expressed their intention not to implement this measure.
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I don't think this matters. 5 million tourists a year are not interested in the price of water at all. if they already know it, it turns out to be much cheaper than in their own country.
the local population is the victim.
By Mario from Algarve on 05 Feb 2024, 18:58
A problem with the tiered rates is that there is no allowance for large households. a water meter might serve the needs of one person, or 12 people.
The expense of reading every meter every month has to be considered as well.
By mark Holden from Algarve on 05 Feb 2024, 19:05
The Portuguese government has been watching and doing nothing for last couple decades as the Algarve water situation gets worse, and all they can come up with after all this time is what is effectively more taxes and fines. The usual for a clueless bunch of politicians. Effectively washing their hands of any responsibility, and pushing it onto the water consumers.
The Algarve needs ideas and decisive action to solve a serious and worsening problem, but no sign of any imminent pipelines or desalination plants. If the problem is not solved very soon the the quality of life of those living in the Alagarve will be severely impacted, and tax revenues from tourism will be in jeopardy. Apparently, the North does not want to share its water with the South. This is the mentality we are dealing with. The Algarve is in big trouble with no help on the horizon.
By Paolito from Algarve on 06 Feb 2024, 09:59
Instead of fining us, why don't they reduce the massive amount of water lost every day due to their leaks?
By Michael Blesh from Algarve on 06 Feb 2024, 10:54
"Only Silves will not implement this measure..." Perhaps all the new land clearing / debris burning that went on last year all around the hills of Silves to make way for new water sucking orchards owned by the rich families around Silves might explain why they want to continue to suck more water from the already near dry community reservoir but NOT pay extra. We all know making rich people richer is very important, as one owner nonsensically said: "Oranges bring tourism"...
And in Portimão, water conservation is so important to the mayor that she continues to promote drug and nitrous gas fueld concerts that bring in hundreds of thousands of half naked women and hard partying men into the beautiful beaches. I'm sure each and every one of them has water conservation foremost on their minds as they get drunk, litter the streets with garbage and empty cylinders. But hey, as the mayor says, it's worth it because of all the money they bring in! Perhaps the mayor can invest this money to make it rain more?
By Paul Neto from Algarve on 06 Feb 2024, 11:02
Utterly daft for 3 years big companies (probably owned by families of the governing elite)have been rushing to plant Advocados on EVERY single acre of land possible it’s been a truly collosal change in water consumption as ALL these area have huge irrigation systems. This affects all the land from Estoi to VRSA. This has had a COLLOSAL increase in local demands for water. Meanwhile SOMEONE has grabbed HUGE EU capital grants I suspect !!! These should have gone directly into Water treatment locally to turn sea water into grey irrigation supply !
By Chris Loynes from Algarve on 06 Feb 2024, 14:25