The municipality of Arganil, in the interior of Coimbra District, aims to combat the ‘critical problem’ of water losses in the public supply system’s network, which on average exceed 50%.
“We have a critical problem regarding losses, which, among ruptures, fraud and unmetered consumption, is very high, above 50%, causing us additional costs and placing the systems under stress,” said Luís Paulo Costa, president of the Municipal Chamber, to the Lusa agency.
To promote a more sustainable water management and strengthen the coordination between the high and low supply systems, the municipality of Arganil signed this morning a collaboration agreement with the company Águas do Centro Litoral.
This is a partnership protocol for the Study of Water Supply Systems, Loss Reduction, and Improvement of Water Efficiency in the municipality of Arganil.
“Its importance is reinforced by the need to reduce water losses, which continue to represent a significant challenge in the sector, with meaningful environmental, economic and operational impacts,” emphasized Luís Paulo Costa.
The mayor stressed that the municipality is drawing high quantities of water, “that would not be necessary.”
“It is imperative that usage and reality be rational, that losses be identified and corrective measures introduced,” he underscored.
The most critical situation is observed in the water supply system of the parish of Pomares, where network losses far exceed 50%, and where the distribution network requalification is also planned.
According to Águas do Centro Litoral, the protocol provides for technical studies to characterize the existing infrastructures, identify critical points, detect and monitor water losses in the low-pressure network and define priority interventions to improve the water supply systems in the municipality of Arganil.
The studies will enable more well-founded decision-making, promoting more efficient use of water, reducing non-revenue water, strengthening the reliability of the supply and optimizing investments in water infrastructure.
The water supply in Arganil is managed by the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services, with the high-pressure supply assured by Águas do Centro Litoral.
