Brava: Installation of the Esparadinha desalination unit is the “solution” for the island – mayor

The mayor of Brava, Francisco Tavares, considered today that the installation of the desalination unit, planned to be in the Fajã d´Água area, in Esparadinha, is the solution to reduce the “shortage” of water on this island.

The mayor spoke on the sidelines of the start of works on the pilot unit and of a smaller scale that will be installed in the town of Furna, adding that he hopes that tests will begin within three months and by the middle of next year this project will be completed and the population from Furna with “more and better water”.

“The start of these works is the first step and a clear sign that in terms of water supply, the solution has to go through desalination”, stressed Francisco Tavares.

Now, regarding the larger project, which is planned for the Fajã d´Água area, in Esparadinha, Francisco Tavares says he is hopeful, since there is already a partner entity available to finance and also the studies are already very advanced.

He also commented that last month, the managing director of Águabrava informed him that he would travel to Praia for a meeting between the partners and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, to take a few more steps, in the sense of starting the works.

“What is certain is that Brava urgently needs a response at this level, because this Furna project does not solve the problem on the island, which has a deficit of water supply”, reinforced the mayor.

According to him, the water available at the spring in Encontro is now not enough for 50 percent (%) of the population's needs. From there, he reinforced again that it is necessary to move from projects and studies to reality.

“A lot has already been said and unfortunately progress is being made slowly”, said the mayor, adding that he is “very hopeful”, that even before the end of the city council’s mandate, in September 2020, the works have already started and the good pace.

The mayor from Brava also added that, based on the initial studies and the information he has, for the unit in Esparadinha, only the works could take between 12 and 18 months and meanwhile, Brava is in this “shortage” of water with negative impacts on its development.

The pilot project in Furna, as he informed, involves foreign entities, mainly the French government, the Águabrava company, the city council, both fighting for the construction and installation of a water desalination unit for human consumption that will supply the town of Furna.

This project, he added, has a renewable energy component, which allows the production of 20 tonnes using this technology and a maximum capacity of 60 tonnes per day.

MC/CP

Inforpress/End