Project summary:

 

The GestAqua.AdaPT project has as main objective the development and implementation of adaptation strategies to climate change in the water resources sector, particularly in the multipurpose reservoir systems management.

 

For this purpose were chosen the reservoirs of Monte Novo and hatch, both integrated in the feedback system for human consumption of the Alentejo Central Water, the company responsible for attracting almost all of the water supplied to the city of Évora.

 

The choice of these two reservoirs was determined by the combination of multiple factors, which are considered highly relevant to the goals established under the EEA Grants and so the Adapt program:

 

1. System importance in the context of the water supply for human consumption in the district of Evora.

2. In both reservoirs are captured significant volumes of water for irrigation.

3. It is inserted in an area with obvious risk of suffering significant impacts arising from climate change, with particular focus in relation to water systems.

4. The potential increase in irrigated agricultural areas necessarily determine the implementation of the reduction of water needs strategies crops, requiring the definition of agricultural adaptation strategies to ensure the water availability.

5. The New Monte reservoir is currently connected to the Alqueva dam, being however limited water transfer capability and energy costs potentially high.

6. The system is located in the country area where it perspetivam significant impacts arising from climate change, in particular significant changes in the distribution of rainfall throughout the year associated with a decrease in the average annual precipitation and increased occurrence of extreme weather events .

7. Currently be recorded water quality problems that can be enhanced either by increasing the air temperature, or the changes that admits may occur in the Alentejo region of the precipitation regime.