Portugal’s Ministry of Environment has approved the boundaries of a protection perimeter around a groundwater intake in the Rubiães-Antas parish of Paredes de Coura, according to an ordinance published Monday in the Diário da República. The measure takes effect Tuesday.
The protected area covers the intake known as Furo Antas, part of the Rubiães-Antas water collection system in the Viana do Castelo district. The intake supplies 257 residents and provides an average of 63.99 cubic metres of water per day.
The water body containing the intake, identified as the Undifferentiated Ancient Massif of the Lima Basin, has an overall “Good” status under the Minho and Lima River Basin Management Plan, the ordinance states.
Protection perimeters are intended to prevent, reduce and control groundwater pollution, including contamination caused by infiltrating rainwater carrying pollutants, excess irrigation water and water used for washing. They also support natural dilution and self-purification processes, help limit the impact of accidental pollutant discharges and allow warning and alert systems to be established if accidental pollution affects groundwater-based water supplies.
Under Portugal’s legal framework for the quality of water intended for human consumption, the Portuguese Environment Agency is responsible for assessing risks in the drainage basins of drinking-water intakes. The rules also restrict access to the georeferencing of these intake points to entities including the water and waste services regulator, health authorities, the Food and Economic Safety Authority, criminal police bodies and the operators serving the affected water-supply systems.
The Environment Agency submitted the proposed protection perimeter and its associated restrictions based on studies provided by Águas do Alto Minho, the entity responsible for managing the intakes. Public groundwater intakes used to supply drinking water, along with their protection perimeters, are subject to the applicable legislation and Portugal’s Water Law.
Sources: Observador.