Almada water crisis persists as government offers support
The Almada municipality is facing water supply disruptions, with the Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho suggesting it could take three weeks to stabilize the system. While the mayor denies any area has been without water for more than 24 hours, the municipal water service (Serviços Municipalizados de Água e Saneamento or SMAS) has announced further overnight service interruptions in several localities.
Update: Almada water crisis expected to last weeks
Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho confirmed that full water restoration will take two to three weeks, though a new borehole opening this weekend is expected to boost supply by 20%. Meanwhile, the consumer protection association DECO has demanded compensation for affected residents and businesses, calling for tariff exemptions and extended payment deadlines.
Deco Proteste is Portugal's largest consumer rights organization, providing independent product testing, legal advice, dispute mediation, and advocacy on behalf of consumers. It is part of the international Euroconsumers group.
Deco publishes comparative tests of products and services (from insurance policies to supermarket prices), lobbies for consumer-friendly legislation, and runs a mediation service that helps resolve disputes between consumers and companies. It also operates helplines during crises — such as severe weather events — to advise on insurance claims, billing disputes, and emergency consumer rights.
Membership is paid, but Deco's public advocacy and media presence make it a significant voice in Portuguese consumer affairs. Its studies and reports are frequently cited in news coverage of cost-of-living, energy prices, and financial products.
SMAS (Serviços Municipalizados de Água e Saneamento) is a municipal service provider responsible for managing water supply, sewage, and waste collection in specific Portuguese municipalities. In Almada, this entity oversees the local water infrastructure, and its operational failures are often linked to long-term maintenance and investment decisions made by the local government.
