According to PS/Azores, water supply for agriculture on the island of Pico is one of the most critical problems, with farmers facing serious difficulties due to water shortages during the summer.

“The geographical dispersion of farms, the challenging terrain, and the lack of investment by the government in implementing already identified solutions, such as the maintenance of water storage and distribution reservoirs, make the efficient management of water resources an extremely difficult task,” explains the Socialist Party/Azores.

For the party, even structural projects, such as the waterproofing of Lagoa do Paul, remain pending, leaving farmers without viable alternatives to ensure the productivity and viability of their farms. In the middle of summer, many resort to the supply points provided by the municipality, but these prove insufficient to meet real needs.

In a request, the PS/Azores questioned the Azores Government about the situation of some water reservoirs in the municipality of Lajes do Pico.

The Azorean socialists inquired of the regional executive whether it was aware that the “Canzana” water storage reservoir, located in the parish of Ribeiras, had been out of service since January 2025 and why it had not yet been repaired.

In response to the request, the Regional Government stated that the reservoir has characteristics that affect its safety and operability, due to its location in an elevated area exposed to strong winds. Since its construction, it has suffered damage caused by wind, irregular filling, construction errors, and acts of vandalism. IROA, SA is in the process of replacing the liner and damaged sheets.

Regarding the “Cascalheira” reservoir, located in the same parish, the PS/Azores also questioned why it remains empty, despite being supplied by a natural spring. The Azores Government explained that, although the reservoir began delivering water in June at maximum capacity, its level has decreased due to the seasonal fluctuations in the spring’s flow and increased agricultural demand. The spring has a mostly torrential flow, which does not guarantee constant replenishment of reserves, even with regular maintenance of the mini-dams.

Finally, the PS/Azores questioned the “Paul da Burreca” reservoir, which, according to the party, had remained unused since December 2024.

The regional executive stated that the spring that supplies the reservoir has low flow in the months with less rainfall. Although the reservoir reached its maximum capacity in June, a public tender launched by IROA, SA, for the expansion, replacement, and upgrading of the reservoir complex, Lot 1, worth €33,000, was unsuccessful.

In Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveiros, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.