Water
Water supply
For its water supply, Monte do Casarão relies on two wells: the one is 40 metres deep, the other – which was drilled later, when we turned out to have insufficient water during the summer – is 180 metres deep. The water is pumped up to Casarão Velho, where it is first purified. Then it is pumped up into the water depot situated about 25 metres above Casa Marcanta. From there, it flows down on its own accord, back to the houses.
Purifying the water
In order to purify the water, a study was made in collaboration with Delft University of Technology and Portuguese experts into the most effective (and affordable) solution. In the end, we chose for ion exchange, a purification system based on salt.
Reusing the water
During the summer, water is scarce in large parts of the Alentejo. On Monte do Casarão we need to save water as well. That’s why we try to reuse it as much as possible. The waste water from all the houses is collected into a sewage treatment plant at Casarão Velho, treated naturally by means of gravel and reed and then given back to nature.
Watering plants
Also, the water in the showers has a destination: it doesn’t go down the drain. Instead, we collect it in a bucket, to water the plants.
Twice a year- once in spring and once in autumn - Monte do Casarão organizes a painting week. The course is for beginners and advanced students. You can paint or sketch using any technique and any materials you like.s.
September. Helping with the wine harvest is a new experience for many of our guests - big and small. They don't usually do this in everyday life. They help prune in May and pick in August. The grapes have now been pressed and clarified and now, with the alcohol content right, the wine is put into five- and 10-litre bottles. A water seal goes on the bottles to ensure the malic acid disappears. In a month or so, the wine can be bottled. Estimates this year are around 80 bottles of white (30 chardonnay and 50 sauvignon) and 180 bottles of red. Looks promising again!
