Water Rationing Starts Next Week.

[Guest]

water rationing put me off 30 years ago … was one of many wayward investors of non polluting water industry have tried to invest millions here in the South.they have mainly left in disgust after facing all the Red tape and labour laws....I myself run a business..I was to expand ..I intended to invest a lot more money...and employ at least 30 people.....I spent over 18 months fighting the local beaurocracy.......I moved production to the new eastern Block....Tax holiday and Welcome arms open.....(Just like I did in China 30 years ago) ..I now produce there and gave up here.......yes you can still come and get a nice sun tan..The 30 people I was to employ ??..Most still have either no job or are on the breadline.......Government have to pay social security ...Money.
But yes .Tourism is very important.....there is nothing else......and never will be as long as people like you care of nothing else but your wish of a so called non polluted environment....whats better...a little industrial smoke or the population really on the breadline... I think I’m next

[Guest]

erm ...haven`t we seen this posting before

[alanr]

Tricky, you misunderstand where I'm coming from. I have been on holiday in the Algarve at least 15 times - I love the place. I was just looking for honest advice from people out there who can advise accordingly. I was - and still am - surprised by the lack of response from board users on such an important issue. I realise locals have to protect the tourist industry, and visitors like me would like to protect our precious holiday time and money. Not unreasonable I would hope.

[Guest]

well honest advice is still to come but understand that there may be water cuts. ...perhaps we can all now start to appreciate what life must be like for people in africa when the rains fail and they face starvation..not as bad here but certainly a wake up call who think you can stamp a super green environment on an area that is being affected by desertification

[Guest]

this is from the UNited Nations report on desertiification

The modern economy is also contributing to the problem. Fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, contamination by heavy metals, and the introduction of exotic (invasive) plant species is undermining the long-term health of the region's soils. Physical changes imposed on watercourses by the construction of reservoirs, the canalization of rivers, and the drainage of wetlands are affecting land quality. Meanwhile, groundwater levels are declining widely, resulting among other things in salt-water intrusion into coastal aquifers. Some 80 percent of the region's available freshwater is used for irrigation. The dramatic and continuing growth of industry, tourism, intensive agriculture, and other modern economic activities along the coastlines is placing particular stress on coastal areas.

Among the Northern Mediterranean affected country Parties, four are members of the European Union and four are on its enlargement list of countries. The Convention to combat desertification offers to all Northern Mediterranean affected countries a framework for mutual cooperation and more effective national action. A subregional group (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey) has already prepared the terms of reference for a Subregional Action Programme (SRAP). Non affected country Parties such as the European Community (EU), France and Monaco are participating as observers to the subregional meetings. The establishment of a full regional process for all affected country Parties of Annex IV is currently being discussed. In addition to intraregional cooperation, the Annex calls on its members to cooperate with other regions and subregions (Central and Eastern Europe for example), and particularly with the developing countries of Northern Africa.

[guest too]

Turn on your tv and see the news.The tragedy that is Niger with 3 and a half million going to die of starvation.
Now think yourself lucky that you have food in the cupboard and what if the water is turned off for a few hours and you have to miss your shower.How terrible!You can at least go out and buy water for that short period or save some in bowls or buckets beforehand.
Those people in Africa cant.While we luxuriate in our villas and apartments,some of which are second homes and worry about keeping the pool topped up, babies children men& women are dying from lack of food and water
Just think a little and thank your lucky stars.

[Visitor]

So are they definately turning off water to everyone betwwen 18 - 21 or are they just doing what they should have don ein May and turn off public showers, car washs and the like?

[alanr]

To Guest too:

I am capable of thinking, thank you very much. I know how much I have given to the crisis in Niger - how much have you?

To equate the two is somewhat offensive.

[tricky]

Hi AlanR
I do understand what you are trying to say and can see that for your annual holiday you want somewhere that is just right and offers the facilities that you need, but in all honesty,if you cancelled your trip to the Algarve, where would you go?, every place in the world is currently under threat of terrorism or ecological changes

Worrying isn't it

Anything could happen.

We are going out to CVO in two weeks and yes I am concerned that I won't be able to have my evening shower before we go out (children think its great, any excuse not to wash ) but am quite prepared to put up with it. I don't think the members on this forum who live there are being deliberatly obtusive in not giving out information - what makes you think the local government have suddenly become logical?

[Guest]

To Guest too:

I am capable of thinking, thank you very much. I know how much I have given to the crisis in Niger - how much have you?

To equate the two is somewhat offensive.

I have given not only financially but also in working in this field.Unfortunately we cannot buy ourselves out of this situation. but I just wanted to raise the point about the different circumstances, and how ludicrous it seems to be worried about going without water for a few hours.
If you are offended Im sorry.Maybe you should get out more.
As for an evening shower,take a dip in the sea.Plenty of water there.

[Marissa]

I forgot to leave my name on guest too and guest on last post.

[BushBaby]

That is very commendable that you work in this area Marissa.Very sad business indeed.
I see that over on Talkalgarve somebody has posted a message saying that all municipal swimmingpools are being closed also fountains and beach showers are being stopped as well across Algarve. Any news from residents here?

[alanr]

Marissa,

You are quite right. I should get out more. That was the point. As I said earlier it is my first holiday in more than two years. I promise you, however, I am not comparing myself to the starving in Africa.

[Visitor]

Do we know to what extent this affects water supply? Are they haveing a down period in the evenings? ????

[Guest]

So there's a drought situation in Portugal with serious water shortages -which has been well mentioned in UK news etc. Would the Portuguese locals really want an influx of tourists to Algarve etc. knowing there isn't enough water to go round now? I would think they would prefer tourists to visit at a time when water supplies are as near to 'normal' as they can be? No one seems to have mentioned the health and hygiene situation? What are the bars and restaurants doing without water?
Maybe a permanent resident in Cvo. could advise on this?
Tricky seems concerned about her evening shower but maybe some potential visitors have very young children, are elderly or are recovering from major illness and any water shortage poses risks to them and of course the Portuguese locals who might be in the same situation?