Póvoa de Lanhoso was honored with the 2026 Municipal Excellence Award during the IV Congress of the Social City, held in Lagoa and Portimão. The award recognized the candidacy “Recovery, integration and sustainable management of water resources,” within the framework of Integrated Water Resources Management for Civil Protection. The project was attended by Ricardo Alves, Advisor to the Presidency's Office, and Pedro Dias, Municipal Civil Protection Coordinator.
The initiative focused on capturing and utilizing spring water from the Serra do Carvalho, which was previously wasted. Through a piping system, this water was directed to the dormant reservoirs at the Horto, restoring a storage capacity exceeding two million liters.
This water volume now ensures free supply to the reservoirs of the Volunteer Firefighters' station, enhancing their response capacity for rural fires. Additionally, the water is used for irrigating public green spaces, leading to significant savings in potable water.
The project has generated estimated financial savings of over 30 thousand euros and contributed to environmental conservation by reusing water that would have been discarded, protecting a vital resource. The strategy also includes building elevated water reservoirs, with the first two of a planned network for aerial means already completed, each holding 400 thousand liters.
The congress organizers commended the municipality for the "quality of the submitted candidacy and the work developed, which constitutes a relevant example of the innovation, planning, and intervention capacity of Portuguese municipalities." The candidacy will be integrated into the Observatory of Municipal Dynamics for national best practice sharing.
