Water Resources in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area (RMSP): the underuse of Billings Reservoir

Year 2022, Volume: 1 Issue: 5, 21 - 54, 20.06.2022

Dr Leandro Miyazaki Luis Antonio Bittar Venturi

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to highlight and analyze the factors that explain the underuse of the Billings Reservoir in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area, based on data that covered 5 years. This research was guided by hypothesis that the underuse is related to the pollution, due to domestic waste and/or non-household waste and garbage discharge. The method consisted of an evolutionary analysis of the Billings pollution levels and then on a dynamic and integrated analysis of the variables that support the hypotheses. Results showed that, in general, the Reservoir’s water quality tends to worsen. In addition, the irregular garbage discharge into the Reservoir is still at high rates. In this sense, it was concluded that the variables analyzed (pollution levels, sewage, and garbage amount) provided favorable evidence for the confirmation of hypothesis. However, interviewees emphasized the membrane separation processes, such as ultrafiltration and nanofiltration, which together to other techniques may turn the water from Corpo Central (the most polluted area) fit for use. In other words, although pollution is the main problem, there are already modern technologies to treat such water.

Keywords

Natural Resources, Water Resources, Billings Reservoir, Underuse

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