Water wars

Councils, particularly those in the north, are contesting Águas de Portugal’s latest water distribution proposal, saying it will lead to huge increases in water bills. AdP – responsible for the supply of water to more than 80% of the country’s population – has approached 116 municipalities, suggesting they take over the management of water distribution, but mayors in Lamego and the Douro are saying AdP’s terms could see charges increasing every year for the next five years, and rural and urban areas would be treated the same for billing purposes.