news about water problems

[patwab]

I beg to disagree. The reason the coastal strip of the algarve is so green is that IT DOES have plenty of water, albeit in ancient acquifers deep in the rock. The problem is preventing the huge increased demand for water from doing long term environmental damage when that water supply is depleted. Eventually someone needs to think "When is enough enough in terms of new developments". Maybe someone can develop grass for golf courses that can be watered with salt water !!

[cowboy]

I beg to disagree. The reason the coastal strip of the algarve is so green is that IT DOES have plenty of water, albeit in ancient acquifers deep in the rock. The problem is preventing the huge increased demand for water from doing long term environmental damage when that water supply is depleted. Eventually someone needs to think "When is enough enough in terms of new developments". Maybe someone can develop grass for golf courses that can be watered with salt water !!

Ah, Patwab, the problem goes much deeper than that.
(pun intended)

Where is the re-charge zone that replenishes the water in the "ancient acquifers deep in the rock"?
(after all the water has to come from some place)

What is the weather in the re-charge zone?

Is the re- charge zone being "developed"?
(that would imply roads, driveways, parking lots, gas stations, ect.)

It's called " impervious cover" and, when it rains, all those leaks and spills that go with owning a moterized vehicle, go into the water supply...if there is enough undeveloped land left to recharge the acquifers, everything is fine (assuming it rains enough).

All the rest of the rain (including automitive by-products) will run off into the man made lakes that you draw your water from.

And, when it really does rain, you can expect floods and erosion from the dried up, burnt up land that hasn't been paved over.


Mother Nature can be a mean mother.

[tbbr]

You are absolutley right " cowboy ", the aquifers have been declining ever since man started taking water out hence the reliance on ground water ( reservoirs fed by rivers fed by rainfall ).
It can take decades ( if not centuries ) for aquifers to re fill.

Do we have that long ???

[patwab]

I bow to cowboys extensive knowledge !! I think the recharge zone is the inland strip between the coast and the Serra do Monchique. I just think someone needs to consider when is the development going to cause the total water storage capability for Algarve to consistently be below the demands placed on it.

And another thing ...... forget grass altogether !! Except on the ever important golf course (sorry I don't play !)
I know Rocha Brava looks beautiful with all its lawns, shrubs and flowers, but if this sort of problem keeps re-occurring, the management company should be thinking about planting more drought tolerant plants and watering a lot less and during darkness if possible to reduce evaporation.

And how many Portuguese buildings catch the rainwater off their rooves ? Most do not even have downpipes so nowhere to connect a water butt.
He in lil ol England I have two 30 gallon barrels that last a long time when it gets dry. I know the rainfall in Portugal is nothing like what we get here, but it still makes a difference. Makes a difference to my water bill too !
The Portuguese water companies will be having a field day putting prices up ..... it's all about supply and demand isn't it ?