The Government has decided that the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Águas de Portugal Group have 120 days to present a solution that strengthens water supply on the South Bank of the Tagus, reducing dependence on the Tagus-Sado aquifer. Order No. 11127/2026, published on September 9 in the Official Gazette, determines the elaboration of studies to identify a new water source, potentially from Castelo de Bode and/or the Tagus River. The decision comes in light of the forecast increase in water demand due to the future Luís de Camões Airport in Alcochete and the associated urban, housing, business and logistics expansion.
The Tagus-Sado Basin/Left Bank aquifer extends to the South Alentejo, where there are underground intakes for public supply. In Alcácer do Sal, protections for two intakes at Brejos da Carregueira, in Comporta, were approved in August, supplying 89 inhabitants with an average volume of 94.61 cubic meters per day. In the municipality of Grândola, the Água Derramada/CBR1 intake serves 191 inhabitants with 63.39 cubic meters daily. Both water bodies are classified as having Overall Moderate Status in the Tagus Hydrographic Region Management Plan.
In Alentejo there is already an experience in preserving this aquifer: the Comporta wastewater treatment plant has a Managed Aquifer Recharge system with four infiltration lagoons, operational since October 1, 2021. The system uses treated wastewater to reinforce the availability of the Tagus-Sado aquifer and is part of the European MARCLAIMED project, with participation from Águas Públicas do Alentejo
