Almada water network collapses under heat and tourism surge, leaving over 100,000 without supply

Sudden demand overwhelms the network

Unprecedented consumption driven by an intense heatwave and the start of the bathing season caused a critical breakdown of Almada's public water supply system. Over the past 48 hours, the system's wells could not keep pace with the surge, which SMAS de Almada described as a 'perfect storm' of high temperatures and seasonal population growth.

The outages struck hardest in Costa da Caparica, where some households went without water for more than 12 consecutive hours. The parishes of Charneca da Caparica, Feijó, Laranjeiro, Sobreda and Capuchos also experienced prolonged cuts or severe pressure drops.

Rotating rationing and emergency measures

To prevent the reservoirs from emptying completely, SMAS activated an emergency rotating rationing plan. The approach, described as solidary and fair, temporarily shuts off or curtails supply in certain zones so that pressure can recover elsewhere.

On these hot days, overall demand has exceeded the water we can capture daily from our wells.

The utility urged residents to restrict consumption to essential uses only and suspended non-essential street washing and irrigation of public green spaces. A new extraction well entered full operation on Friday, and another is expected in service by the end of July. Three further wells are in the licensing phase and three more are being designed.

Businesses shut, residents protest

Cafés and restaurants in Costa da Caparica and Charneca da Caparica were forced to close or refuse service because water pressure was insufficient for basic hygiene. Over 1,500 people signed a public petition demanding urgent action, prior notice of interruptions and a concrete long-term plan.

In the last three days, whenever I get home around 8 p.m., there's no water and it only comes back at 11 p.m.

It's hard to organize because we never know when the water will go out.

Residents also complained to consumer association DECO PROteste about a lack of advance warning. Many said the problem is far more widespread this summer than in previous years.

Mayor apologises, points to 2025 contrast

Inês de Medeiros, president of Almada city council, estimated that more than 100,000 people in Costa da Caparica and Charneca da Caparica alone have been affected. She publicly apologised and said measures were being taken to reduce the disruptions.

I am sorry.

The municipality noted that 2025 outages were caused by ruptures in the main supply pipeline, which have since been rehabilitated. No such anomalies have occurred this year, the authority stressed, and the network is being monitored around the clock.

What happens next

SMAS said it cannot predict when normal supply will resume because that depends on a drop in consumption. In the short term the rotating regime will continue, with a second new well due by the end of July and further capacity additions in the pipeline.