Belo Horizonte faces water shortages due to maintenance and pipe burst

Water supply services in Belo Horizonte and its metropolitan region have been severely disrupted due to scheduled infrastructure improvements and an unexpected water main burst.

Copasa announced that maintenance on the Rio Manso Water Supply System, conducted in partnership with Cemig and SEINFRA, necessitated a shutdown affecting over a thousand neighborhoods. The works included replacing pumps in Pedro Leopoldo, drainage improvements in Contagem, and electrical system upgrades.

Compounding the situation, a major water main rupture occurred in the Barreiro region of Belo Horizonte. The burst caused significant flooding, damaging a wall and forcing the closure of Rua Barão de Coromandel. The incident left residents and local schools without water, prompting some educational institutions, such as Escola Estadual Cecília Meireles, to suspend classes.

Copasa has completed repairs on the ruptured main in Barreiro, and water supply is being restored gradually as reservoirs are replenished and distribution networks are repressurized.