Newsletter
Since 1989
Alive Water Água Viva
2013 Special Edition
www.agua.org.br
The search for new supply sources the São Paulo
Macrometropolis region
Since 2008, the Government of São Paulo has been studying solutions for the “São Paulo Macrometropolis Plan,” region that covers the Hydrographic Regions of Alto Tietê; Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí (PCJ); Sorocaba; Baixada Santista and Paraíba do Sul. The objective is to uncover water alternatives to meet the need of an increase of 60 m³/s until 2035 to the current flows of these regions collectively in the face of its thriving economic and social development. The Macrometropolis Plan is an update of the study elaborated in the 90's, called “Integrated Plan for Utilization and Control of Water Resources of the Basins: Alto Tietê, Piracicaba and Baixada Santista, known as “Planão” and, consequently, the problems at the same proportion, to such a degree that the elevated level of difficulty to bring about its conclusion became evident, with feasible solutions, for the expansion of water offering in these regions. It concerns an enormous and extremely complex challenge and it involves countless environmental, economic, social and cultural variables and of other magnitudes. The Macrometropolis represents ¾ of the population of the State of São Paulo, or over 30 million inhabitants, with a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of over BRL 935 billion which represents ¾ of the State's GDP, or, 23% of the national GDP, which results in sizing on a national scale for the identified challenges. “To talk on this region's water availability is to talk on Brazil's economic security,” Consórcio PCJ's executive secretary, Francisco Lahóz, remarks. In accordance with Rui Brasil Assis, cabinet adviser of the Secretary of Sanitation and Water Resources of the State of São Paulo, an efficient management and with solutions could reduce this demand to 31 m³/s. “Studies are not enough to meet the demand, it is imperative to reduce this demand,” Assis called to mind during a talk show about the Cantareira System, organized by Consórcio PCJ. Even so the demand for new supply sources will be challenge, as shown, that even with an efficient management almost a new Cantareira will be essential to supply the need of the regions involved in the Macrometropolis. Sabesp's representative, Ricardo Guilherme Araújo, upheld that “water is a
problem to sustainability. The macrometropolis has the possibility of living a water stress that can put serious impediments to our development.” In this context, Consórcio PCJ since 2011 has been stimulating among the municipalities the construction of city dams as a way of reducing dependence on gutter pipes from the main springs, which are already quite compromised by public, industrial and agricultural refurbishments. This way, the entity created the Water Offering Expansion Program to help cities that are interested in the construction of city reservoirs and elaborated a handout with technical orientations for undertakings of this nature. The entity also understands how important and strategic is the renewal of the grant of the Cantareira System, five-dam complex that returns 31 m³/s from the PCJ Basins to the Alto Tietê Basin, where Greater São Paulo is, to ensure safe minimum flows to two regions. Currently, the system operation grant is under the concession of the Companhia de Saneamento Básico de São Paulo, Sabesp. The renewal of the grant is planned for 2014 and Consórcio PCJ has carried out since 2012 diverse clarification events for the population with involvement of the community, NGOs, Public Ministry, and managing agencies. Furthermore, the construction of two reservoirs, one in the Camanducaia River, in the city of Amparo (SP), and another in the Jaguari River, in the city of Pedreira (SP) will be essential for water assurance of the region. The two dams will be ensuring an increase of up to 7 m³/s to the PCJ Basins. A preliminary proposal of the regional adductor system is under study which will carry up to 4.7 m³/s of water from the dams to the cities of the Campinas Metropolitan Region and the Jundiaí River Basin (SP). The 7 m³/s summed up to 4.8 m³/s of transposition from Jurimirim, in the Vale do Ribeira region, are not sufficient yet for the water demand until 2035. For this reason, the fight against water losses in refurbishment services and the construction of city reservoirs will be the closing piece to bring about the conclusion of the Macrometropolis puzzle. “That city that is in a position to build a dam is very important and to start right away because it is a lengthy process. There are licensing and financing issues that are not quick [to settle],” Consórcio PCJ President, Reinaldo Nogueira, observed.