São Francisco River: Interconnection of basins will provide greater water security to Ceará, says secretary.

Ceara 247 - The Secretary of Water Resources of Ceará, Francisco Teixeira, said this Tuesday, the 14th, in Brasília, that the diversion of the waters of the São Francisco River is fundamental to guarantee greater water security for the State, which today accumulates 20% of the potential of 18 billion liters in its reservoirs. Teixeira also emphasized the need to complete the works of the Ceará Water Belt (CAC), which should join the diversion of the São Francisco River to bring water to the municipalities and the metropolitan region.

“In 1995, our reservoirs were below 25%. Throughout that period, we fluctuated between times of drought and rain. In 2009 we reached almost 100% (reservoir levels); but today we are at 19% to 20%,” he said, during a hearing of the external committee of the Chamber of Deputies that monitors the transposition of the São Francisco River to discuss the basin integration plan and the stage at which the project's axes are in Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Ceará.

Secretary Teixeira pointed out that the water transfer project is not just an infrastructure project. “That’s where the project’s richness comes in. A management and socio-environmental component has been incorporated, representing R$ 1 billion in investment. One aspect of this is the revitalization of the river basins,” he highlighted.

To ensure the project's sustainability, Teixeira advocated for a fixed water quota for each state, determined according to population criteria. However, according to him, there is still no consensus on how the payment for the water received from the diversion will be made. In his opinion, the states should negotiate an "optimal price" so that the project is also financially sustainable.

SHARED MANAGEMENT – During the hearing, Congressman Odorico Monteiro (PT-CE) defended tripartite management after the completion of the São Francisco River diversion project. "Despite the different scenarios in each state regarding the integration of river basins, it is important that there be a collaborative effort between the federal government and the states," he stated.

According to Monteiro, the debate within the committee weakens the myth that the project is stalled. "The work is progressing; it should be completed in Ceará (the state responsible for 80% of the project's works) by July," he said. However, he emphasized the importance of the revitalization and sewage treatment projects in Minas Gerais, from where part of the water that will supply the semi-arid region will come. The meeting was proposed by Congressman Raimundo Gomes de Matos (PSDB-CE).