The Sao Paulo state government has urged residents to conserve water as the region faces a period of dry weather.
This appeal comes as one of the region's primary water sources reaches a critical threshold, potentially threatening the water security of millions of residents if consumption is not reduced before the return of seasonal rains.
Authorities said that the Cantareira System has entered an alert phase [3]. This status change was triggered because the useful volume of the system's reservoirs has dropped below 40% [1]. The state government reinforced its request for the population to save water to preserve these remaining reserves until rainfall increases.
To manage the dwindling supply, the Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo has had its authorized water intake limited to 27 cubic meters per second [2]. This restriction is part of a broader strategy to prevent the reservoirs from reaching even lower levels during the current drought.
The government is focusing its messaging on the necessity of collective action to avoid more drastic measures. By limiting the amount of water drawn from the system, officials said they hope to maintain a stable supply for the population throughout the dry spell.
Local authorities have not yet announced a timeline for when the restrictions on water intake will be lifted, noting that the situation depends entirely on the return of the rains.
“The Cantareira System has entered an alert phase”
The transition of the Cantareira System into an alert phase indicates a significant decline in water security for Brazil's most populous state. By limiting water intake to 27 cubic meters per second, the government is attempting to balance immediate urban demand with the need to prevent a total reservoir collapse, highlighting the region's vulnerability to fluctuating precipitation patterns.
