Regional Government moves forward with study to improve water storage efficiency in Ponta Delgada Dairy Basin
The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Institute of Agrarian Planning (IROA), will promote this year a study to improve the efficiency in the transport of water from Lagoa Rasa lake, which is in surplus during winter months, to Lagoa do Caldeirão Grande lake, where it will be stored.
IROA will launch the procedures to select the company for the preparation of a study on the use of the water surplus from Lagoa Rasa lake, located in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, and the survey of aquifers in the surrounding area.
As Lagoa Rasa lake is shallow, it is common to reach the maximum level of storage during the winter, especially when rainfall is more intense. When this situation occurs, the water dissipates due to the morphological features of the lake and the natural run-off.
Given the proximity to Caldeirão Grande lake, with greater storage capacity for water surplus during extended periods of time, the primary purpose is to transport the surplus through a small lift station to be installed near Lagoa Rasa lake.
This is another initiative that aims improve to improve the efficiency of the water supply system for agriculture in Ponta Delgada Dairy Basin. This will reinforce the competitiveness of production by reducing operating costs and improving farmers' working conditions.
Currently, the water supply network to farms has a storage capacity of 500 thousand m3 and around 500 kilometres of piping.