The renovation and expansion of the Sesmarias Reservoir, inaugurated on September 26, was financed by the Algarve Regional Program at a rate of 60%.

The remaining 40% will be provided by the Environmental Fund, following a protocol signed on September 24 in Faro between this entity and the Algarve 2030 Regional Program Management Authority, the municipality revealed.

The agreement provides that the national contribution for projects presented by city councils, municipal companies with expertise in the sector, or the multi-municipal company Águas do Algarve, aimed at improving water efficiency and reducing losses, will be 100% subsidized.

The reservoir's redevelopment allowed for "reinforced water supply reliability and capacity" in the Praia do Carvoeiro, Sesmarias, and Mato Serrão areas. This consisted of the demolition of the old cells (two of 250 cubic meters (m3) each and one of 100 m3) and the construction of two new cells of 3,340 m3 each, interconnected by a manoeuvre chamber, as well as the rerouting of the existing pipes.

The total storage capacity, therefore, increases from 600 m3 to 6,680 m3, "guaranteeing autonomy of more than 24 hours even in the event of network disruptions."

At the same time, the reservoir was equipped with modern equipment, such as electromagnetic flow meters, ultrasonic and hydrostatic level sensors, floating level floats and pressure transmitters, sodium hypochlorite dispensers, and a residual chlorine/pH monitoring system; high-efficiency LED lighting; pumping units with a suitable electrical panel; and an emergency generator set.

Preventing water outages

"The objective of the renovation is to prevent water supply failures, a frequent occurrence in the past (with interruptions lasting up to 12 hours), due to the age of the water supply networks and the limited reserves," notes the Lagoa city government.

With the renovated reservoir, even in the event of a rupture, "the system will be able to continue supplying the population until the damage is repaired, without service interruptions."

During the inauguration ceremony, the mayor of Lagoa, Luís Encarnação, classified the work as "a fundamental asset in the field of water efficiency for the municipality", which "not only avoids supply constraints but also minimises water losses".