The Cantareira System, the largest water reservoir in Greater São Paulo, has not reached the ideal level of supply (60% of its capacity volume) since May 2020. That is, 1 year and six months ago. Currently, the reservoir operates with 26.2%.
Currently, the reservoir operates with 26.2%. Levels below 30% are considered as restricted status by the Basic Sanitation Company of the State of São Paulo (Sabesp). The last time the system recorded a percentage above the restriction was on October 1, 2021 (30.1%).
The rains in October caused the level of the reservoir to improve and reach 28.2%, but the indices fell again after a brief stability.
Professor at the Institute of Energy and Environment of the University of São Paulo (USP) Pedro Cortês told CNN that there is a great risk of shortages in April 2022.
The projection is that the level can reach up to 20%, since in the coming months, there is no forecast of rain above the average in the places necessary to supply the system.
Cantareira depends on the same rainfall as those in central Brazil, which comes from the Amazon. According to the specialist, deforestation in the area contributes to the lack of precipitation.
With the exception of the water crisis period, Cantareira had not reached such low levels since March 2016.
About the stonemason system
The Cantareira System is the largest water producer in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (RMSP). It is formed by five reservoirs (Jaguari, Jacareí, Cachoeira, Atibainha and Paiva Castro), which are connected by underground tunnels and channels and form the Cantareira Equivalent System.
Reference: CNN Brasil
