Water security issues reported in Rio Grande do Norte and Barra do Piraí

Water security challenges are emerging in different regions of Brazil due to varying climatic conditions. In Rio Grande do Norte, hydrological monitoring by Igarn shows that 14 out of 69 reservoirs are operating at less than 10% capacity. The most critical levels are found in the Seridó and Alto Oeste regions, with the Passagem das Traíras dam in São José do Seridó recording only 0.03% capacity.

Conversely, 13 reservoirs in the state maintain stocks above 80%, with four reaching 100% capacity. This creates a stark contrast between areas facing extreme drought and those with stable water supplies.

In Barra do Piraí, heavy rainfall has caused a different issue. Increased turbidity in the Paraíba do Sul River has forced water treatment stations to operate at approximately 70% capacity. The high concentration of particles in the river makes water collection and treatment more difficult and time-consuming. Local authorities have advised residents to conserve water to reduce pressure on the supply system while waiting for river conditions to improve.