On November 17, 1992, the respective deed was registered at the notary’s office in Tavira, establishing the Associação de Regantes do Sotavento do Algarve, which translates to “Association of Beneficiaries of the Eastern Algarve Irrigation Plan”.

It was decided that the objectives would be to build, maintain and manage the water supply and distribution system based on the irrigation plan for the eastern Algarve.

It was formally recognized by the Ministério da Agricultura on 26 January 1993 by means of Order No. 44/93 published in the Diário da Republica (II serie) on 5 February 1993.

Pursuant to Article 102, number 5 of Decree-Law no. 269/82, of July 10, republished by Decree-Law no. 86/2002, of April 6, the final draft of the Concession Contract for the Eastern Algarve Hydro-Agricultural Development, to be signed between the Ministério da Agricultura, Desenvolvimento Rural e das Pescas, represented by the Direção-Geral da Agricultura e do Desenvolvimento Rural, and the Associação de Regantes do Sotavento do Algarve, is hereby approved.

On May 18, 2026, the Association’s Statutes were amended, specifically regarding its legal name, which became ASSOCIAÇÃO DE REGANTES DO SOTAVENTO DO ALGARVE, and the expansion of its corporate purpose. The updated scope includes the management, operation, and maintenance of any collective irrigation systems transferred to it, namely the Hydroagricultural Developments of Preguiças, Monte da Ladeira (Pisa Barro), Mealha, Pessegueiro, Pão Duro, Vaqueiros, Almada D’Ouro, and Caroucha.