Government guarantees R$ 33 million for the second phase of the Freshwater Program in Bahia.

Bahia 247 - The State Secretariat for the Environment (Sema) received authorization from the Ministry of the Environment this Tuesday (29) to continue the Água Doce Program (PAD) in Bahia. The 2nd stage of the PAD in the state, with a budget of R$ 32.987.420,00, was authorized after efforts by the Secretary of the Environment, Geraldo Reis, with the Ministry, ensuring the expenditure of the resource.

Later this week, the Bahia Water Resources and Engineering Company (Cerb), the implementing partner responsible for installing the desalination systems, will begin the bidding process for the construction work.

The Freshwater Program transforms brackish well water into high-quality drinking water for human consumption through the implementation of sustainable desalination systems in the semi-arid region, encouraging community autonomy in water management. The program is committed to ensuring the sustainable use of water resources, promoting coexistence with the semi-arid environment based on environmental sustainability.

"Bahia celebrates the release of this investment. It is yet another result of the management efforts of Governor Rui Costa," celebrated Secretary Geraldo Reis.

According to the manager, "the Government of Bahia is acting on several fronts in the fight against and response to the water crisis, which is receiving this important reinforcement. Nearly R$ 33 million will be allocated to a policy with effective results to guarantee access to water, allowing the semi-arid region of Bahia to have 150 more desalination systems. The Água Doce program plays a very important role because it produces quality water for consumption, guaranteeing this fundamental right to families in rural communities with extreme water scarcity," he stated.

Since April of this year, when the II State Meeting of the Água Doce Program took place in Salvador, bringing together the communities and municipalities benefited in the first stage of the program in Bahia, Sema (the Bahia State Secretariat for the Environment) has begun efforts with the Ministry of the Environment to guarantee the continuity of the program. During a visit to the Secretary of Water Resources and Environmental Quality, Jair Tannus, in July, the partnership between the ministry and Sema was reaffirmed.

"The Água Doce program, an award-winning initiative recognized by the UN, is a successful, highly visible, and extremely necessary program for the populations of the Brazilian semi-arid region," said Tannus. The total projected investment is around R$ 72 million, with resources from the Ministry of the Environment and the State Government.