Azorean Government and Environmental Fund consolidate progress in water supply investments - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

Following the protocol signed with the Environmental Fund for investments in the water supply sector, a review meeting was held this month between the parties, with the Regional Government of the Azores represented by the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, and the President of IROA, S.A., Pedro Hintze Ribeiro.

The situation of the tender procedures launched under the agreement was presented during the meeting. The jury responsible has already completed the analysis of seven procedures, proposing the awarding of seven projects, corresponding to an overall investment of about €718,000.

This amount corresponds to 72.9% of the global budget set at €1 million, thus representing significant progress in the implementation of the planned investments.

The proposed projects correspond to the interventions provided for in the protocol, namely:

• Canada Tinchais
• Canada da Praia
• Poço do Ratinho
• Monte Escuro
• Criação Velha
• Cedros

The interventions cover water supply infrastructures on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Graciosa, contributing to improved water efficiency, reduced losses and greater resilience of distribution systems.

The meeting confirmed the good pace of implementation of the protocol and reinforced the joint commitment to achieving the established targets, ensuring that investments reach the ground with a real impact on the quality of service provided to the population.

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food pointed out: “The assessment shows that the agreement signed with the Environmental Fund is producing real and visible results on the ground. The analysis and proposed award of seven projects, which already represent 72.9% of the overall budget, confirm this Regional Government’s commitment to speeding up essential investments in the water supply sector.”

He continued: "These interventions, spread across several islands, strengthen the resilience of our infrastructures, improve water efficiency and help to ensure a higher quality service for the population and economic activities, particularly agriculture, which depends on robust and reliable supply systems."

"We will continue to work rigorously and with determination to ensure that all the projects set out in the protocol move forward with the necessary speed, ensuring that every euro invested translates into real benefits for the Azores and the future of sustainable water management in our archipelago," emphasised António Ventura.