The Entity for the Regulation of Water and Waste Services (ERSARA), as the competent authority for the promotion of water for human consumption in the Azores, will create and award the Quality Seals for Water intended for Human Consumption, starting this year.

This entity, which is under the jurisdiction of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment, intends to recognise the merit of managing entities that stand out for the quality of public water supply systems, including Local Authorities, Municipal Services and Municipal Companies, as well as to improve the quality of their performance.

Furthermore, the initiative also aims to promote increased consumer confidence in the quality of the public water supply system, taking into consideration the protection of public health and environmental preservation goals.

The awarding of the "Quality Seals for Water intended for Human Consumption" will be made in accordance with the criteria defined in the rules, namely the compliance with the programmes intended to control the quality of water for human consumption (PCQA) and specific parameter values.

The seals will be awarded annually during a public ceremony that will be held in the context of the event for the presentation of the Annual Report on the Quality of Water intended for Human Consumption in the Azores.