Water supply and sanitation in Portugal
| Data | |
|---|---|
| Water coverage (broad definition) | 99% |
| Sanitation coverage (broad definition) | 99% |
| Continuity of supply | High |
| Average urban water and sanitation tariff (US$/m3) | About 0.90 euro/m^3 |
| Institutions | |
| Decentralization to municipalities | Partial |
| National water and sanitation company | AdP |
| Water and sanitation regulator | ERSAR |
| Responsibility for policy setting | Ministry of Environment |
| Sector law | None |
The Water supply and sanitation services in Portugal have seen important advances in access to services, technologies used and service quality over the past decades (1980s–1990s), partially achieved thanks to important funds from the European Union. Nevertheless, sanitation still remains relatively low in mountain rural areas and some people have their own sources of water controlled by municipalities.
During the 1990s Portugal has put in place a modern institutional framework for the sector, which includes a national regulatory agency (ERSAR – The Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority) and multi-municipal water and sanitation companies.