Praia da Vitória continues renewal of water abstraction infrastructure
Praia da Vitória will continue replacing boreholes near Lajes, with Environmental Fund support to close water sources near potentially contaminated areas.
The replacement of boreholes with new water abstraction infrastructure will continue near Lajes Air Base. According to RTP Açores, Portugal’s Environmental Fund finances the closure of boreholes near potentially contaminated areas.
Praia da Vitória mayor Vânia Ferreira provided the information after meeting the environment minister. The announcement was reported on 13 October 2026.
Environmental funding had already featured in municipal discussions. At the council meeting on 8 January 2025, Ferreira referred to a €5.31 million commitment and explained that the contractual arrangements had been transferred from the municipality to its municipal company, Praia Ambiente.
At that meeting, work addressing soil and aquifer contamination was discussed as a public health issue. For Praia da Vitória residents, oversight of water abstraction therefore connects water management with the response to local environmental problems.
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