The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stated in Ponta Delgada that although the weak and atypical rainfall levels recorded this year are "not an alarming situation," these problems should be solved in advance.

Luís Neto Viveiros revealed that the Government will implement measures to prevent any disruption in water supply for agriculture, which will involve the integrated participation of various entities.

Speaking to journalists at the end of an extended meeting to analyse the water availability on all Azorean islands, the Regional Secretary stressed that the Government's aim was to "gather all entities that are dealing" with this problem.

The meeting was attended by the Azores Agricultural Federation, IROA, ERSARA, the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (PEI), the Association of Municipalities of the Azores (AMRAA) and the University of the Azores. All parties involved decided that IPMA should "closely monitor" the situation and release weather forecasts "every ten days."

According to Luís Neto Viveiros, the release of these weather forecasts to all entities involved "will monitor every week what will happen in the next ten days." In this context, the government official added that IROA is preparing "precautionary measures towards a more rational use of water."

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment also announced that "it was defined that ERSARA" will carry out an awareness-raising campaign directed to the general public for the rational use of water, an initiative that will be "begin soon."

Luís Neto Viveiros also stressed the important role of AMRAA and the joint action with municipalities for the implementation of measures and the proper use of resources.

According to him, "there are many situations in which the availability of IROA is increased [water availability] with regard to municipalities," but in other cases "the situation is quite the contrary.”

In this context, the government official added that the president of IROA will meet next week with Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória City Halls in order "to assess on site" the situation on Terceira Island, where "the availability of water is not scarce in certain areas, but is limited in other parts of the island."

The reservoirs and ponds built in the Region for water supply to agriculture represent a total storage capacity of about 490,000 m3.

Currently, the recorded levels on the islands of S. Miguel and Terceira are about 50% of their capacity.

Pursuing the investments provided in the Regional Public Works Charter, under the strategy to reinforce support infrastructures for agriculture, the Government of the Azores increased this year the public investment in water supply by 75%, with a global budget of 2.5 million Euros.

There are works in progress or about to be awarded that will increase the storage capacity by 2,640 m3, with 20 kilometres of water pipes and 250 branches.