São Paulo water reservoirs remain on alert as drought cuts supply

The Cantareira water system that serves the Greater São Paulo area stayed in the alert range in August, with reservoir levels at about 37 percent and a loss of 25 billion liters in July. Under the alert, Sabesp may draw up to 27 m³/s, supplemented by flow from the Jaguari hydro‑electric plant, while overall inflow remains well below historic averages.

City officials have relied on a night‑time pressure‑management program that has saved roughly 160 billion liters since its adoption, enough to supply São Paulo for two months. Authorities continue to urge residents to cut consumption, recommending shorter showers, fixing leaks, full‑load appliance use and re‑using greywater for cleaning. A modest recovery is expected when the rainy season begins in October, provided El Niño does not hinder rainfall.