Brazil pushes ahead with 145‑km concrete water channel to serve 5 million in Ceará

Brazil is nearing completion of the 145‑kilometre concrete canal, known as the Ceará Water Belt, that will transport water from the São Francisco River to the semi‑arid interior of the state. The project, which began in 2013, is 92 % finished and is expected to enter its final construction phase this year. When operational, the canal will move up to 30 cubic metres of water per second, providing a reliable supply for roughly five million people, including the capital Fortaleza, and supporting agriculture and other economic activities.

The Water Belt consists of open channels, tunnels and siphons divided into five construction lots that link the Jati dam with municipalities such as Porteiras, Brejo Santo, Barbalha, Juazeiro do Norte and Crato before reaching the Cariús River at Nova Olinda. It is part of a broader national plan to build about 1,300 km of water‑distribution canals by 2040, a concept inspired by China’s South‑North Water Transfer project.