Serviços de água (SMAS, EPAL, Águas de…) letter explained in English

Water company. Your local water company.

Letters you may get

• Fatura de água — your water bill
• Aviso de corte — unpaid bills; they may cut the supply

What to do

• Ask your water company about a social tariff if your income is low.
• Find the deadline. Look for “prazo”, “até”, “data limite”.
• Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
• If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”). See the template.

Questions

What is the Serviços de água (SMAS, EPAL, Águas de…)?

Water company. Your local water company.

How long do I have to answer a letter from the Serviços de água (SMAS, EPAL, Águas de…)?

It depends on the letter. Look for words like “prazo”, “até”, “data limite” — they mark the deadline. In Portugal, a letter sent by registered post is usually treated as received on the third day after it was posted. Check if the deadline is in working days (dias úteis) or in calendar days. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”).

Can I read a Serviços de água (SMAS, EPAL, Águas de…) letter in English?

Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Portuguese. Your letter never leaves your device.

Other offices in Portugal

Finanças / Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) · Segurança Social · IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) · AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) · Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia · Tribunal · Agente de execução · ANSR / PSP / GNR