The pilot intervention on Madeira Island will consist of studying, designing, implementing and monitoring an infiltration pond of around 18,000m2 in Chão dos Balcões, a flat area at the head of the Ribeira de João Gomes catchment in the municipality of Funchal.
In addition, the Chão dos Balcões area lies within the infiltration zone of Tunnel 4 of the Tornos system—the most important infrastructure for managing groundwater resources on the island of Madeira. The water collected inside Tunnel 4 of the Tornos represents a vital flow for supplying the population of Funchal and Santa Cruz. Its main recharge source is precipitation falling on the mountain top, between Achada Grande and Chão dos Balcões.
Objective
This pilot intervention aims to reinforce the good practices that have been implemented to enhance water infiltration in strategic areas of the island, thereby increasing aquifer recharge. It represents an appropriate adaptation measure to address the decline in groundwater resources on the island of Madeira.
The natural topographic modeling of the terrain, as a Nature-Based Solution approach, represents an intervention that harmonizes with the existing dynamics of the landscape, working with the original topography.
This approach also helps reduce surface runoff and water erosion of the soils. Modeling the terrain based on its natural characteristics facilitates the creation of retention and infiltration zones, such as surface basins, which play a crucial role in aquifer recharge and the sustainable management of water on the island of Madeira.