Regional Government refutes unfounded criticism from CCIAH regarding Drought and Water Scarcity Plan - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

Following the statements made by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo (CCIAH) regarding the Azores Drought and Water Scarcity Management Plan (PSE-Açores), the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, hereby provides the following information to clarify the technical details and refute several claims that are not supported by the approved document:

PSE-Açores is a non-sectoral strategic planning tool designed to establish technical criteria, monitoring mechanisms, contingency levels and an integrated framework of measures to prevent, prepare for and respond to situations of drought and water scarcity. This includes actions to manage water supply and demand, strengthen infrastructures, improve the efficiency of water supply systems, reduce losses and promote the efficient use of this resource.

With a view to implementing these goals, PSE-Açores carries out a detailed assessment and analysis of water availability, consumption, pressures on water resources and the structural vulnerabilities of the territory. This is based on data collected and validated by official sources, such as the Regional Water Programme and the Azores River Basin Management Plan (PGRH-Açores), as well as data collected from the official entites responsible for this area, namely the Entity for the Regulation of Water and Waste Services of the Azores (ERSARA), the water supply system operators, and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), through surveys and technical meetings held for this purpose.

In other words, PSE-Açores was based on actual registered and reported figures, rather than on isolated figures or generic estimates that were not methodologically aligned. Nevertheless, it is inevitably dated, and its underlying data should be reviewed and updated whenever more recent or disaggregated data become available.

Contrary to what CCIAH claims, PSE-Açores does not ignore developments in the tourism sector in the Azores, which are duly identified in the technical assessment, explicitly recognising its economic significance, seasonality and potential pressure on water resources. As with other relevant sectors, it is covered by monitoring mechanisms and measures for adaptation, prevention and contingency.

It is also important to clarify that the figures for water consumption per tourist, as reported by CCIAH, do not reflect the reality in the Azores, given that the figure presented by PSE-Açores is a regional sectoral average, taking into account all tourist accommodation units.

The prospective scenarios developed under the PGRH-Açores consider an average per capita consumption of 300 litres of water per day for each tourist, more than double the estimated figure for a resident. In PSE-Açores, the reference figure used is 320 litres of water per day for each tourist, which already anticipates a margin for growth in water consumption associated with tourism.

This figure is substantially lower than the 600 to 800 litres of water per day, for each tourist, as publicly stated by CCIAH. Nevertheless, PSE-Açores acknowledges that part of tourism-related consumption may be diluted within broader urban categories, meaning that this estimate of 320 litres per day may be underestimated for certain segments or specific types of tourism. Consequently, there is a need to further disaggregate tourism-related consumption and step up its monitoring, something that PSE-Açores has already identified as a priority.

The proposals put forward by CCIAH may, in time, address needs identified in other parts of the country or the world, where climatic conditions are more demanding in terms of water requirements than those found in the Azores. They may also address types of tourist accommodation that are non-existent or uncommon in the Azores, such as resorts, where the maintenance of extensive landscaped areas, golf courses, large swimming pool complexes or other infrastructures places substantially greater demands on water resources.

The situation in the Azores is profoundly different, both in terms of climatic conditions and the model of tourism development adopted, which is based on sustainability principles and prioritises the establishment of tourist facilities with efficient water usage and consumption systems.

Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that PSE-Açores overlooks tourism or downplays its importance. On the contrary, it takes due account of its relevance, even assessing the influence of the floating population and tourism seasonality on the pressure on water resources, whilst also providing for measures that directly address uses and activities associated with the sector, including progressive restrictions in contingency contexts during water shortage periods. 

PSE-Açores also includes prevention and adaptation measures relevant to the sector, such as enhanced monitoring, the establishment of measurement and control zones, improvements to measurement and remote management systems, the analysis of specific consumption patterns, and incentives for water efficiency and reuse solutions.

Regarding the criticism concerning the “lack of a clear funding model for the identified investments," it is important to clarify that  PSE-Açores is a strategic planning tool, whose financial implementation of the planned measures is supported by public policy funding instruments available at a regional, national and EU level for the various sectors of activity.

PSE-Açores was designed as a tool for continuous improvement, with a monitoring, evaluation and review model. Before its approval, it was submitted to 32 entities external to the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, relevant stakeholders with expertise in the field, to be involved in the implementation of this plan, for review, feedback and validation.

It was also submitted for consideration to the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development of the Azores (CRADS) at a meeting held on July 26, 2024, which the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores attended and was represented at. In this regard, CCIAH had the opportunity to raise the legitimate concerns it has now made public.

Nevertheless, PSE-Açores has established a Regional Commission for the Management of Droughts and Water Scarcity, with an interdisciplinary and participatory component. It comprises representatives from various sectors, including tourism, ensuring a model of collaborative governance open to the participation and contributions of all relevant entities, with the possibility of introducing improvements, new information and operational proposals.

A technical working group has also been set up to monitor climatic and hydrological variables, produce periodic reports and formulate proposals for prevention, preparedness, contingency and adaptation measures. Within this institutional framework, all sectoral contributions can be discussed with rigour and practical utility.

The Government of the Azores reiterates its commitment to the sustainable management of the region’s water resources and the active involvement of all socio-economic sectors in this collective effort, through the monitoring and governance mechanisms set out in PSE-Açores itself, thereby strengthening responsible inter-institutional dialogue on an area of significant public importance.

The management of drought and water scarcity is a collective and ongoing challenge. All constructive contributions are welcome. However, their usefulness depends on their integration into the appropriate technical and institutional channels, supported by verifiable and contextualised data. Public criticism made out of context, without first seeking further clarification, is not the most useful way to contribute to an issue that demands cooperation, rigour and a sense of responsibility.

The Azores Drought and Water Scarcity Management Plan, a pioneering initiative in Portugal, represents a decisive step in preparing the Region for climate change challenges by strengthening its water resilience and reinforcing its commitment to the sustainable management of a strategic resource that is essential for present and forthcoming generations.