Latest news and stories about public services in government in Setúbal, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Socialist Party in Setúbal has called on the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities to address the critical water supply instability in Almada, highlighting concerns over infrastructure neglect and service failures.
The Almada Municipal Assembly rejected a motion of no confidence against the municipal executive led by Inês de Medeiros, following water supply cuts in the region, particularly in the Costa da Caparica area. The motion, presented by the PSD, was defeated with votes against from the PS, CDU, and Livre, while the BE abstained. During the meeting, Mayor Inês de Medeiros attributed the water shortages to structural issues rather than infrastructure failures, while residents protested outside the venue due to limited access to the session.
While Jesus proves that 12 is the new half of 26, Almada will only have full water supply next year. The Livre party grew by mistake and jurists are already fleeing from veterinarians. Everything is squeaky clean.
In the early hours of the morning, the Almada Municipal Assembly rejected a motion of no confidence presented by the PSD against the municipality's Socialist leadership, following water supply failures in the district.
On July 8th, around 1,500 people gathered in a protest against the lack of water in Costa da Caparica, demanding solutions to the problem and calling for the resignation of the mayor.
Presented following water supply cuts to the population, the initiative was voted down by the PS, CDU, and Livre. The second day of the President of the Republic's visit to Cape Verde begins today.
Students face a daily lack of space, exposure to heat and rain, an absence of extracurricular activities, and a lack of basic conditions for learning and playing.
The Almada Municipal Assembly will review a motion of no confidence this Tuesday (July 21) against the socialist leadership of the city council, presented by the PSD, which holds the municipality responsible for water supply failures in the municipality. The motion, the sole item on the agenda for the extraordinary meeting, follows repeated water supply disruptions affecting thousands of families and sectors such as hospitality. PSD councillor Paulo Sabino stated that a lack of planning and investment caused the issue. Although the motion is non-binding and will not force the executive to step down, the PSD hopes it will serve as a wake-up call. The municipality has declared an alert status, implementing night-time water cuts and restricting non-essential water use, while the municipal water services (SMAS) are working to repair leaks and identify illegal connections.
The Almada Municipal Assembly will debate a motion of no confidence this Tuesday against the Socialist leadership of the City Council, presented by the PSD, which holds the local authority responsible for water supply failures in the municipality. As the sole item on the agenda for the extraordinary meeting of the Almada Municipal Assembly, the motion of no confidence follows...
The motion follows failures in the water supply. PSD/Almada states that there was no adequate planning. SMAS announced inspections to ensure responsible usage.
The initiative is presented by the PSD, following problems with the water supply in the municipality. Additionally, Jorge Jesus says he will make few changes to his first squad selection for the national team.
A critical commentary on the lack of water supply in Almada and the bureaucratic tendency to form committees in response to problems in Portugal.
Allowing the management of catchments and reserves, and not just the supply, of a common resource to remain under the management of municipalities is risking a double problem.
Water supply failures continue to affect Almada, with the mayor stating that the problems are concentrated in the municipality's wealthiest parishes. The Government admits to temporarily limiting fuel margins while ordering an investigation into price formation at petrol stations. The Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, remains in the spotlight...
The PS also considers that a rigorous assessment of the causes of the water supply problems in the municipality and the measures adopted to try to minimise the issue is necessary.
The chaos of uncorrected exams and the lack of water in Almada remain unresolved. Could the Prime Minister blame the parties that only offer unsolicited opinions?
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has pledged to continue reforms in education, health, and public administration, focusing on reducing bureaucracy and digitising essential services. While acknowledging that the digitisation of school assessments has been complex and caused concern, he insisted the government would maintain the reform, noting that while most teachers support the move, there is some resistance. Montenegro also highlighted efforts to modernise the National Health Service and reduce red tape across state services, aiming for a more efficient government.
The tens of thousands of residents in Almada affected by severe water supply failures are symptomatic of a nationwide issue. Local municipalities often lack the expertise or political will to manage water networks, frequently neglecting the maintenance of obsolete infrastructure to avoid the costs and political unpopularity associated with such projects. Data from the water regulator, ERSAR, reveals that municipalities like Almada, Lagos, and Setúbal have invested minimally in pipe renewal, leading to significant water losses. Despite the crisis and public protests, Almada's mayor, Inês de Medeiros, has dismissed the government's criticism as a distraction from other national political controversies, a stance that appears increasingly untenable given the scale of the infrastructure failure.
The Minister of Environment held the Almada City Council and the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (SMAS) responsible this Tuesday for the water supply crisis in the municipality, citing a lack of investment as one of the causes. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the signing of a protocol for the dredging of the Mira River in the municipality...
The Minister of Environment accuses the Almada municipality and the SMAS of years of insufficient investment and water losses above the national average. Graça Carvalho also states that the “poor relationship” between Almada and Seixal delayed the response to the collapse of a borehole and warns that consumption restrictions are expected to remain in place for a few more weeks.
The Minister of Environment mentions water losses higher than the national average (35% loss in pipelines compared to 26% nationally) and insufficient investment in network renovation.
“What has happened over several years, and this is obvious in the ERSAR reports, is that the amount of water loss is high, higher than the national average - about 35% loss in the pipes. The national average is about 26%, which is also high. On the other hand, investment has not been at a desirable level,” criticised Maria da Graça Carvalho.
Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that reports show water losses higher than the national average and insufficient investment in network renovation.
The Almada Municipal Assembly will discuss a motion of no confidence from the PSD against the municipality's socialist leadership next week, accusing it of repeated failures in managing the water crisis, civil protection, housing, urban hygiene, and accountability. The document, which the Lusa agency had access to this Tuesday, will be discussed at the next meeting.
In an interview with NOW, Inês de Medeiros also pointed the finger at the Seixal City Council, which announced the provisional transfer of a borehole.
The Left Bloc (BE) has demanded clarification from the Almada municipal government regarding the water supply interruptions.
The Mayor of Almada, in an exclusive interview with NOW, stressed that the water shortage in the municipality was exaggerated by the Government to try to deflect from the controversy surrounding the national exams.
In an exclusive interview with NOW, the mayor stressed that the causes must be investigated and admitted to creating a commission to understand what may have happened.
When questioned about the criticism directed at the head of SMAS Almada, Luís Palma, for leading the entity while holding a degree in primary education, Inês de Medeiros refused to dismiss the administration. The mayor admits that it would be “unfair”.
Inês de Medeiros refused to resign. The mayor also pointed out that Luís Montenegro's government took advantage of the situation to shift focus away from the national exams controversy.
