20 million euros for smarter water in the Algarve
The ALGARVE 2030 programme opened applications for 20 million euros in EU funds to boost water efficiency and cut losses in municipal supply and sanitation systems.
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Seven days of the Pulse, curated into one weekly read.
14 July 2026
Hello and welcome to today's Pulse. Water runs through many of today's stories, alongside encouraging news for wildlife, renewables and local flavours.
Almada's water supply still restricted
ERSAR says supply in Almada remains limited as the utility works to restore reserves, with quality assured and a call for responsible, priority use only.
Do towns have enough to renew water networks?
Setúbal's PS wants the municipal association to clarify whether towns have enough funding to renew ageing water networks, following the failures in Almada.
A rethink to save the Iberian rabbit
Portuguese scientists found the Iberian rabbit is a distinct, endangered lineage and urge reclassification and updated management to prevent its extinction.
420,000 euros to set rivers free
GEOTA secured funding to expand its Rios Livres programme, restoring river connectivity by removing obsolete barriers over three years.
A grounded kite gets a second chance
The GNR rescued a black kite unable to fly in Macedo de Cavaleiros, sending it to a wildlife recovery centre for care before release.
Dimming the lights for Madeira's birds
JPP met SPEA to review a light pollution study in Madeira, weighing measures to protect seabirds through public lighting plans.
Leaving a legacy for nature
WWF Portugal launched a campaign explaining how people can include nature protection in their wills, with free legal support.
More solar for a ceramics plant in Anadia
Sunenergy expanded Colorobbia's rooftop solar in Anadia, adding 216 panels and avoiding some 186 tonnes of CO2 a year.
A new 24-hour fuel station in Marinha Grande
Plenergy opened its 17th station in Portugal, an automated 24-hour site in Marinha Grande serving up to six vehicles at once.
Packaging recycling barely moves
Sociedade Ponto Verde reports just 1% growth in packaging recycling, short of EU targets, and points to inefficient municipal collection and sorting.
Industrial landfill expansion under review
A public consultation is open on expanding the Castelo Branco industrial landfill, a site with a history of controversy over hazardous waste.
Sertã pushes back on renewable zones
Sertã's council gave an unfavourable opinion on the renewable acceleration zones plan, arguing it ignores local environmental and landscape specifics.
Who enforces fire alert rules?
The ICNF clarified it is not responsible for sanctioning breaches of fire-alert restrictions, after people were found in the Peneda-Gerês park.
Cool the climate or the house?
Architect Nuno Sampaio warns Europe's buildings were made to retain heat, and calls for shading and greenery over heavy air-conditioning use.
New rules for honey production
The government updated rules for honey extraction and processing, requiring producers to register with DGAV and include registration details on labels.
Free-ranging online training for farmers
AJAP opened enrolment for a fully online training plan for farmers, with courses on management, sustainable and organic farming, and safety.
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A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
Recent
- Good morning. Today's edition travels from a Braga gallery reopening its doors to potato juice becoming chemistry, with forests, fisheries and fairs in between.
- Good morning. Today the country moves on two wheels and by seed: cycle routes, mobility plans and a seed bank keeping 40,000 varieties safe, with a heat warning to keep an eye on.
- Good morning. Today a rare falcon crosses the Alentejo sky, a donkey arrives in Porto from the Azores, and two rivers are given room to breathe — with plenty of practical news in between.
- Wednesday brings whales listening in off São Jorge, rivers set free in Santarém, and a boy in Faro counting bottles towards a dream. Here is the day, gathered calmly.
- Good morning. Today Portugal argues about a deposit machine, watches an invasive grass flower, and welcomes two barrels of wine home from the Atlantic.
- Good morning. Today's Pulse looks at forests, soil and dammed rivers, at how the country moves and what it decides to fund — and ends, as it should, with a 905-kilo pumpkin.
- Today Portugal negotiates with its own landscape: a solar plant shrinks after 12,000 objections, goats are proposed as firefighters, and a Madeiran trail closes for a footbridge. We end on straw roofs and a very clean beach.
- Sunday brings grape harvests and border fairs, a city plan under debate, and a soap factory reborn as student halls. A calm read through the week's quieter shifts.
- Good morning. Today the wild world takes the lead — orcas that touch boats, butterflies judged by their colours, power lines going underground — before we turn to water, waste and the quieter work happening in villages and vineyards.
- A quiet Thursday with plenty to be curious about: glowing salamanders, seahorse shelters made from shopping trolleys, and a country busy with water, wine and housing. Take it at your own pace.