Potable water, with quality and safety, is a limited resource whose production and distribution entail significant costs, so its use for non-potable purposes such as washing outside and watering green spaces is considered a waste. It is therefore vital to adapt the quality of water to the purpose for which it is intended, and therefore the use of alternative sources of water for non-potable purposes is strategic for more efficient and sustainable management of the urban water cycle. Within the scope of using water from alternative sources to the supply network, the municipality of Loulé is developing a number of initiatives that will make it possible to reduce the consumption of drinking water from the supply network for non-potable urban uses, with obvious environmental and economic benefits and gains. 1) Making use of water from springs in the city (e.g. Bicas Velhas) to irrigate urban green spaces managed by the municipality.

1. the Loulé Rock Salt Mine's activity sends clean underground water to the rainwater network on a daily basis, which will soon be used for non-potable purposes in municipal activities.