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Subsequently, wells previously drilled by the Colatina’s Environment and Sanitation Service (Sanear), the body responsible for supplying the municipality, were recovered. According to the expert of the Renova Foundation Water Supply System Improvement Program, Maria de Lourdes Santos, together, the structures correspond to 58% of the city’s water consumption.

In Espírito Santo, in addition to Colatina, three other municipalities of the Doce River basin affected by the tailings have been receiving initiatives related to water security and water quality.

In Baixo Guandu, WTS has been refurbished, and a new pipeline will be built to supply the Mascarenhas district. In Boninsegna, district of Marilandia, a main water supply pipeline will be built on the Doce River. The existing tubular well will be used as an alternative source. In Linhares, WTS will be refurbished and a station will be built in the Regencia district.

The sewage that pollutes the waterways generates, as a side effect, a negative impact on the health of the population. In addition, solid waste generated by municipalities is deposited in dumps, contaminating groundwater and the environment.

A survey released by the National Water Agency (ANA) in 2017 warns that the lack of treatment of sewage compromises more than 110 thousand kilometers of Brazilian rivers that receive waste. A study by Brazil Institute treats that in that same year, there was a fall in investment in sanitation, which returned to the levels of 2011. Governador Valadares is among the ten worst municipalities in relation to the volume of treated sewage: the city has zero index, as well as 22 other municipalities that make up the Doce River basin and which were impacted, as shown below.

An initiative that aims to change this reality and leave a legacy for the Doce River basin, the Renova Foundation’s Sewage Collection and Treatment and Solid Waste Collection Program provides R$ 500 million for sewage sanitation projects and proper waste disposal in the 39 municipalities affected by the Fundão dam rupture in Mariana (MG).

The financial resources may be used to design sewage system projects, implement sewage collection and treatment projects, eradicate dumps and expand and improve regional landfills, a selective collection program, a recyclable sorting unit, waste transshipment station, organic treatment units, revision of municipal sanitation plans, among others.

The municipalities also receive technical support and training workshops, which assist in various processes, such as bidding, project design and evaluation, construction monitoring and management improvement. By the end of July, 34 workshops were held for about 200 people from municipalities that are part of the Doce River basin and were affected by the breach of the Fundão dam in Mariana (MG).

“The sanitation program is fundamental for the region. With investments in sewage collection and treatment, in addition to the proper disposal of solid waste in the cities, the Doce River will no longer receive raw sewage contribution, improving the water quality and the living and health conditions of the population, including the disease reduction”, says the coordinator of the Renova Foundation’s Socio-Environmental Program – Sanitation, Bruna Buldrini.

The funds began to be released in April 2019. São José do Goiabal and Rio Casca, in Minas Gerais, were the first to receive funds. Until the end of July, in addition to the two municipalities, Sao Domingos do Prata (MG) and Colatina (ES) also received part of the resource.