HOME > General

Cantareira System level drops to 10,1%

The reservoir's water level dropped 0,4 percentage points, from 10,5% on Friday (5) to 10,1% on Monday (8), according to data from the São Paulo State Basic Sanitation Company (Sabesp). 

The National Water Agency (ANA) has determined a reduction in the flow rate of the Paraíba do Sul River at the Santa Cecília dam until September 30th, from 190 cubic meters per second to 165 cubic meters per second. 28/05/2014 REUTERS/Roosevelt Cassio (Photo: Gisele Federicce)

Flávia Albuquerque - Reporter for Agência Brasil 

The level of the Cantareira System fell 0,4 percentage points and went from 10,5% on Friday (5) to 10,1% today (8), according to data from the Basic Sanitation Company of the State of São Paulo (Sabesp). Since May, when the technical reserve began to be used (dead volume) - water that is below the intake level of the reservoirs has dropped from 26,7% to 10,1%.

The daily rainfall index was zero from yesterday (7) to today, according to Sabesp, and the accumulated rainfall for the month was 30,1 millimeters (mm). The historical average for September is 91,9 mm.

Until May 15th, Sabesp was using only 8,2% of its available water volume. Starting on May 16th, the use of the reserve tank began. With the addition of 182,5 billion liters of water, 18,5% was added to the total system volume (982,07 billion liters), representing 26,7%.

In August, 76% of customers in the São Paulo metropolitan area managed to reduce their water consumption and met the target set by the company through the bonus program.

According to a survey released today by Sabesp, 51% of properties saw a reduction of more than 20% (eligible for a bonus), and another 25% saw a decrease in consumption, but did not meet the target. Meanwhile, 24% increased their water consumption, calculated using the average of the 12 months from February 2013 to January 2014. Sabesp highlights that participation in the program generated savings of 3.900 liters of water per second.