The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today that the Government of the Azores will invest this year 1.2 million Euros in water supply to farms, of which about 600 thousand Euros will be on this island.
 
"These figures show the importance of this type of investment, namely to make life easier for farmers and also to contribute to the improvement of farm income," said João Ponte. He accompanied the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, during a visit to the works for the improvement of water resource use, waterproofing of Paul lake and the construction of a water supply station in the municipality of Lajes do Pico.
 
On the second day of the Regional Government's visit to Pico, the Secretary for Agriculture stated that, despite the 26-million Euro investment in water supply to farms in the archipelago over the last 10 years, "we must continue improving and investing to meet the industry's demands."
 
"Today, it is unthinkable to have a farm without water, without light and good access. This is the important work that the Regional Government has carried out to modernise the sector, but it is yet to be finished," emphasised João Ponte.
 
Regarding the work in Paul lake, the Regional Secretary stressed that it will reinforce the water storage capacity, especially in the municipality of Lajes do Pico.
 
"At this moment, the storage capacity is around 33 thousand cubic metres. With this new lake, with an estimated capacity to store seven thousand cubic metres, we will reach about 40 thousand cubic metres, overall. This is important for the island of Pico, especially in the summer, "João Ponte said, adding that there are about 800 licensed farms and 27,000 animals on the island of Pico.
 
The work in Paul lake, an investment of about 205 thousand Euros, will benefit 40 farms stretching over an area of 300 hectares.
 
There are still other important investments underway on the island of Pico in terms of water supply, namely the construction of two reservoirs in the area of Prainha and the installation of equipment in Cabeço Pequeno borehole, municipality of Madalena.