Dark stain in the São Francisco River is being investigated.

Alagoas247 - The Alagoas Sanitation Company (Casal) confirmed that sediments from a hydroelectric dam located in the city of Paulo Afonso, Bahia, were released directly into the São Francisco River on Thursday, causing a large dark stain on the riverbed. Water samples are already being analyzed by technicians from the Alagoas Environmental Institute (IMA), and a more precise report will be released.

Technicians from Casal, working at a substation in the city of Delmiro Gouveia, noticed the problem on Thursday and immediately informed the environmental agencies. Since it is a federal area, the ecological responsibility for the São Francisco River lies with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).

The director of monitoring and inspection at IMA, Ermi Ferrari, said that teams were heading to the area where the problem was detected to better assess the situation. Only after analyzing the water samples will it be possible to discover what actually happened. Casal's initial impression, which they later confirmed, is that it is sedimented material that accumulated at the bottom of the dam and was released on Thursday.

"From the photos we've seen online, we realize it's a major environmental impact. However, it's not possible to say what might happen, what the consequences will be for the river, or who is responsible. For now, everything is under investigation. When the report is released, legal and administrative measures will be taken," commented the director.

According to him, if it is proven that it is sediment, the environmental crime will be established. Those responsible, according to Ferrari, will be notified, fined, and will also face legal proceedings and administrative action. They will also have to repair the damage caused to the environment. The impact on residents of the Sertão region is also being assessed. For now, the water supply to some municipalities has been suspended by Casal until what happened in the São Francisco River is proven.

According to the director's explanation, the sediments, when released into the river, can release gases that affect water quality. For this reason, it is considered an environmental crime.

At the time of publication, no response had been received. No representative from Ibama could be reached for comment.

Casal's water quality manager, Alfredo Monteiro, reported that changes in the physical and chemical quality of the São Francisco River water have been detected. As soon as the problem was identified, pumping to the cities in the Sertão region was suspended indefinitely.

With gazetaweb.com