The Portuguese Government approved the delimitation of the protection perimeter for the Rabaça groundwater abstraction, in the municipality of Portalegre, intended for public supply of the local population. The decision is contained in Ordinance No. 402/2026/1, published in the Official Gazette, and covers the abstraction located in the parish of Reguengo e São Julião.
The Rabaça abstraction serves 19 inhabitants and has an average volume of 18 cubic meters of water per day. It is integrated in the groundwater body Maciço Antigo Indiferenciado da Bacia do Guadiana, identified by the code PTA0X1RH7_C2, which was classified with Mediocre Global Status under the Guadiana River Basin Management Plan, for the 3rd Planning Cycle, between 2022 and 2027.
The established immediate protection zone prohibits any installation or activity within this area, with the exception of interventions aimed at the conservation, maintenance and better operation of the supply infrastructure. The objective is to reduce the risks of water contamination, including the infiltration of contaminated rainwater, irrigation and washing surpluses, as well as accidental discharges of polluting substances.
The delimitation was proposed by the Portuguese Environment Agency based on studies presented by Águas do Vale do Tejo, the managing entity of the abstraction. The proposal, dated January 2, 2025, was formalized through the ordinance signed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, João Manuel do Amaral Esteves.
