The Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (SMAS) of Vila Franca de Xira, led by councilor Arlindo Dias, are reinforcing their commitment to efficient water management through three main axes: technology, their own laboratory and consumer awareness. In an interview with Valor Local, Arlindo Dias explained that behind every tap there is a complex control and monitoring structure that guarantees the quality of water distributed to the population.
The SMAS' own laboratory plays a central role in water quality control, allowing verification of compliance with legal requirements and detecting, correcting and preventing problems more quickly. Accredited according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, it also functions as a management tool for the supply system, with results coordinated with operations, maintenance and engineering teams for actions such as reservoir washing, pipe purging and treatment adjustments. The goal is to shift from a reactive logic to a preventive and risk management approach.
Technology is also transforming network management through a telemanagement system that allows real-time monitoring of flows, pressures and consumed volumes, facilitating the detection of leaks and abnormal consumption. The new smart meters, equipped with electronic and communication modules, enable remote readings, help identify leaks and reduce estimated billing, functioning as information sensors about the network and consumption behavior.
At the same time, SMAS invests in awareness for efficient water use, with actions in schools and kindergartens that use visual materials and educational games adapted to different ages. Arlindo Dias highlights the role of children as agents of information dissemination to families. Campaigns also extend to billboards, regional media and social networks, being adapted to different periods of the year, such as in summer with appeals for more sensible consumption. The responsible party emphasizes that water safety results from prevention, monitoring, analysis, maintenance and response capacity.
