Sistema Cantareira

Sistema Cantareira
Paiva Castro Dam, in Mairiporã
Catchment area	2.307 km²
Managing agency	Sabesp
First flooded	29 June 1973 (Paiva Castro and Atibainha dams)
Water volume	990 million m³
Settlements	Bragança Paulista, Piracaia, Vargem, Joanópolis, Nazaré Paulista, Franco da Rocha, Mairiporã, Caieiras and São Paulo

Sistema Cantareira (Cantareira system) is a water supply system in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is composed of five interconnected reservoirs that provide water to 9 million people in the São Paulo metropolitan area.^[1] The system is managed by Sabesp, São Paulo's state water management company.

History

By 1960, the São Paulo state government, concerned about the high population growth of the city of São Paulo and neighboring towns, whose population has totaled 4.8 million inhabitants, decided to enhance the water supply of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, planning the construction of several reservoirs in the headwaters of Piracicaba River basin, thus beginning the Cantareira System.

In 1966, work began on the construction of reservoirs on the Juqueri River (today Paiva Castro), Cachoeira, and Atibainha. In 1976, the Jacarei and Jaguari reservoirs were started by adding a capacity of 22,000 liters, second to the system.^[2]

2014 water crisis

In 2014, low rainfall in the state of São Paulo led to a severe drought. The Cantareira system's water level has fallen constantly, leading to water shortages in some areas of the city.^[1] Among the measures taken by Sabesp to face the problem are reducing the water pressure to residences, a bonus for customers who save water, and exploring the reservoir's ground water.

2015 water crisis

With the lack of rain after November 2014, a severe drought situation developed. By February 2015, only 6% of Cantareira's capacity was filled.^[3]

References