Maia introduces water bill that shows households how sustainably they consume
The municipality of Maia, in the Porto district, has replaced its standard water bill with the Fatura Consciente da Água. Besides the usual billing data, it carries environmental performance indicators and comparative consumption figures, such as how many people the billed volume would serve under more sustainable usage patterns. The council wants it to help households recognise their habits, spot savings and act more responsibly, including on wastewater. It was co-created in 2025 workshops held in all ten parishes and forms part of the "Água Somos Nós" education and citizenship programme run by the municipal water and sanitation services.
Two young Barcelos engineers win prizes for textile-waste collection platform in Guimarães
Flávio Fernandes and Hélder Gonçalves have built Novelo, a digital platform that helps municipalities plan textile-waste collection by optimising routes and costs. Built in five days, it won two main prizes at Guimarães' Economy Month, worth €8,500 in total. The system proposes a dedicated vehicle without compaction, bagged pick-ups at residents' doors on set days, and drop-off points at municipal sites and the county's 86 schools. It uses AI and mathematical optimisation to compare scenarios. The pair now propose a three-month pilot in two parishes to test real costs, before adapting the model to other councils.
Portimão water utility starts laying mains to bring tap water to Montes de Cima
Portimão's municipal water company, EMARP, has begun extending the public water network to Montes de Cima, a rural area in the parish of Mexilhoeira Grande. The work involves about 6.5 kilometres of pipes and will give some 222 residents access to the network. Many households there currently depend on private boreholes and wells, which the company wants to reduce in favour of water under regular quality control. Hydrants will also be installed to help fight rural fires. The contract runs for 150 days, with completion due in April 2027.
Setúbal approves new €174,000 borehole to replace sand-damaged water source at Algeruz
Setúbal's municipal council has approved delegating powers to the municipal water services so they can build a new borehole at Algeruz. The works have a base price of €174,000 plus VAT and a maximum duration of 65 days, and the contractor will be chosen by prior consultation. The work follows the discovery of large amounts of sand in the pumping equipment; tests on all four existing boreholes traced the fault to one with structural damage. Losing it cut output in the Pinheirinhos system, leaving little safety margin. The damaged borehole will be permanently sealed, and the replacement built inside the current site, close to existing power and pipe connections.
Minister says 25 de Abril Bridge could carry water to Tagus south bank
The Environment and Energy Minister told parliament during the 2027 state budget debate that the 25 de Abril Bridge, and future Tagus crossings, could carry water from the Castelo de Bode reservoir to the river's south bank. She called it a major water-resilience project serving the Setúbal peninsula and the wider south bank, home to around a million people, as well as the planned new airport and expected population growth. Epal and Águas de Portugal submitted proposals on Monday; the plan also covers water reuse and groundwater and surface sources. She added that no new landfills will be built, only expanded capacity at some existing ones.
Braga council to vote on €2.6m tender for Este river flood basin
Braga's municipal executive is due to consider opening a public tender for a retention basin and the restoration of natural banks along the Este river. The works carry a base price of just over €2.57 million, excluding VAT, and a 450-day construction period. Spending would be spread over three years, with the bulk, about €2.06 million, falling in 2027, followed by roughly €429,000 in 2028 and around €86,000 in 2026.
Mirandela lowers River Tua flow for three weeks to repair tributary walls
Mirandela council has lowered the flow of the River Tua so contractors can repair the Carvalhais stream, one of its tributaries. The work covers stabilising a gabion wall, dredging the streambed and clearing the banks. The contractor first expected a partial drawdown to be enough, but had to empty the river further. Water is due to stay low for about three weeks in November. The Portuguese Environment Agency, the nature conservation institute and the Polytechnic of Bragança are monitoring the ecological flow, and the council says wildlife and plants will not be harmed. The €150,000 job belongs to a €2 million programme running to the end of 2027.
Câmara de Lobos hands out 170 glass recycling bins to schools and shops
Câmara de Lobos municipality, on Madeira, has begun delivering 170 glass recycling containers to schools and commercial businesses across the municipality. The scheme, called 'EcoLobos', runs as part of a project with Sociedade Ponto Verde, the packaging recovery body. It aims to improve the sorting of glass packaging, raise the quantities sent for recycling and encourage better environmental habits in the day-to-day running of establishments. Officials say the containers put recycling closer to where waste is produced, and the council hopes the effort will help meet national and European recycling targets.
Torrestir tyre reuse and retreading saves an estimated 693.5 tonnes of CO2
Transport and logistics group Torrestir estimates it saved 693.5 tonnes of CO2 and 204.4 tonnes of raw materials in 2025 by managing its fleet's tyres to last longer. According to Michelin, which issued the figures, the savings come from regrooving and using retreaded tyres, which reduce the need for new production. Michelin awarded the company its Sustainable Tyre Management Certificate. Torrestir says the work sits alongside fleet renewal, renewable energy generation and eco-driving training, as part of a wider drive towards resource efficiency and lower emissions.
Quercus urges EU-wide VAT changes to favour repair, reuse and donation over disposal
Environmental association Quercus took part in the European Commission's public consultation on VAT and the circular economy, which closes on 4 November. It argues that current VAT rules suit a linear economy and leave repair, reuse, refurbishment and donation at a disadvantage. It proposes harmonised EU rules, reduced or zero rates on repairs, spare parts and second-hand goods, and an end to tax incentives for destroying usable unsold stock. Quercus cites Eurostat data showing only 3% of materials used in Portugal in 2024 came from recycling, against an EU average of 12.2%. It also asks for a comparable impact assessment across member states.
Loulé PSD leader says Algarve waste facility will be built from scratch
The head of Loulé's PSD, Victor Coelho, says Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho assured him that the Algarve's future waste solution will be an entirely new facility, with its location still under technical assessment. He sought an emergency meeting after concern over a possible incinerator in the municipality. A study involving the environment agency and three universities will weigh waste types, technologies, sites and impacts. Coelho also criticised the Loulé mayor, Telmo Pinto, for not briefing residents. The party cites a €300 million investment and says about 85% of the region's waste goes to landfill.
