Public utility news in Portugal

Almada declares alert status in the municipality due to water supply failures

The local authority states that measures already in place are being reinforced to ensure supply to the population and essential services.

Costa da Caparica Health Centre closed this afternoon due to lack of water

The Costa do Mar Family Health Unit (USF) in Costa da Caparica, in the municipality of Almada, Setúbal district, closed this afternoon due to a lack of water in the region, according to official sources.

Government identifies Almada as the municipality with the highest water losses

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, identified Almada as the municipality with the highest water losses in the supply network, acknowledging the need for infrastructure investment. Almada is perhaps the municipality with the highest water losses, well above the average, at over 35%. Therefore, there is a need for maintenance.

6 PM Almada facing water supply crisis with cuts in several areas

A major pipe burst has worsened the situation.

Water supply rupture repaired in Almada

In recent days, residents of several locations in the Almada municipality have reported successive water outages, leading to the launch of a petition that already has nearly four thousand signatures.

4 PM. Areas of Almada municipality without water supply

The affected areas are Monte da Caparica, Lazarim, Palhais, Alto do Índio, Vale Flores, and Costa da Caparica. Additionally, the number of districts under a red warning from the IPMA due to heat has increased.

Almada faces 'major rupture' in a pipeline: water supply interrupted in six areas of the municipality

Residents of the Almada municipality have been experiencing serious water supply problems for several days. With Mayor Inês de Medeiros remaining silent, the Regulatory Entity has already requested clarifications from the municipal services. A protest is scheduled for tomorrow near the SMAS Almada offices.

Major pipe burst cuts water supply to six areas in Almada

Water supply was interrupted this Sunday, July 5, in Monte de Caparica, Lazarim, Palhais, Alto do Índio, Vale Flores, and Costa da Caparica due to a major burst in a supply pipe. The municipal water services (SMAS) are on-site for repairs. Residents have been reporting frequent water outages for weeks, leading to a petition with nearly 4,000 signatures demanding urgent action. The water regulator (ERSAR) has requested explanations from the municipality, while SMAS attributes the shortages to high temperatures and a surge in seasonal population, which have led to the implementation of strategic pressure reductions and rotational supply management.

IL holds PS and PCP responsible for water shortages in Almada

A “solidary and rotating network management” system was implemented in the municipality, which involves a “strategic reduction of pressure throughout the municipality between 00:00 and 06:00”.

Water supply difficulties. Almada appeals for responsible consumption

The Almada Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (SMAS) acknowledged on Friday morning (July 3rd) that there are water supply difficulties in the municipality and appealed for 'responsible use' during this period of 'intense heat' where 'overall demand has exceeded the water' that can be captured daily from boreholes. In a statement, SMAS Almada warns that this is a 'period of great demand for water supply' at a time when there is a 'significant increase in the seasonal population in the municipality'. These factors, combined with the intense heat, mean that 'overall demand has been higher than the water we can capture daily from our boreholes'. In the document released, SMAS admits to carrying out 'solidary and rotating management of the network' to 'balance pressures throughout the municipality, ensuring that the available resource is shared fairly and equitably among all locations'. The public is also asked to moderate 'watering of gardens and private green spaces' and to reduce 'non-essential consumption and prevent waste during this critical period'. The local authority, led by Inês de Medeiros, has already decided on 'strict containment of watering in public spaces and the suspension of non-essential street washing'. The municipal services responsible for water and sanitation management in Almada also state that a 'new borehole' is already in operation and that by the end of July, a backup will enter service. A worker died buried after a water pipe burst in Almada. The developer of the 'Cidade da Água' project in Almada will have to bear the cost of the infrastructure.

Almada desperate for hydration: water taps run dry

Several areas of Almada are without access to water on a day when temperatures are set to exceed 30 degrees and all recommendations advise staying hydrated.

Heatwave can lead to blackouts in Portugal

E-Redes to bury power lines to reinforce network that became 'more fragile' due to storms

The president of E-Redes also stated that, 'as of today', there are no customers without electricity supply following these severe weather events.

Bad weather: E-Redes plans to bury lines to reinforce network that became “more fragile”

The CEO of E-Redes stated that the electricity network, affected by a series of storms, has become more fragile following temporary repairs. The company is now focused on consolidating the grid and increasing resilience in affected areas, including plans to bury power lines and reinforce infrastructure. During a parliamentary hearing regarding the aftermath of Storm Kristin, José Ferrari Careto noted that while temporary solutions were prioritised to restore power quickly, the company is now committed to permanent upgrades, despite concerns over labour availability and the balance between cost and risk in network construction.

One year ago, Portugal, Spain, and parts of France were without electricity. Everything known about the blackout

A look back at the major power outage that affected Portugal, Spain, and regions of France one year ago, summarizing the known facts surrounding the event.

SAPO28 Apr

Blackout: Spanish competition authority opens 15 more inquiries for sanctions against companies

The competition authority highlighted that the facts subject to these proceedings “do not, in themselves, imply the attribution of the origin or cause of the blackout to the affected companies.”

Academic Federation: public utility status reinforces credibility

The public utility status granted to the Academic Federation of Porto by the Minister of Education “reinforces the credibility” of the institution within the city's community, says Francisco Porto Fernandes.

Curry Cabral Hospital in Lisbon without water for six hours

The outage is due to a scheduled cut for maintenance work on the fire-fighting water network.

Response on the quality of the public water network in Guarda

Águas Públicas em Altitude has completed analyses of the reservoir, which had an abnormal odour detected during maintenance. The company said that consumption “is guaranteed with safety and rigour”.

'Flag football' grows in Portugal and federation awaits public utility status

The practice of 'flag football' in Portugal has experienced very rapid growth in teams and participants, boosted by its inclusion in the Olympic programme for Los Angeles 2028, with the federation awaiting recognition as a public utility.