FPI finds abandonment and insecurity in dams in the semi-arid region of AL

The Integrated Preventive Inspection (FPI) of the São Francisco River once again found a situation of abandonment, negligence and lack of maintenance in dams located in the semi-arid region of Alagoas. Last Thursday, May 2nd, the Dam Safety team inspected five projects in the municipalities of Campo Grande and Feira Grande, in Alagoas, finding serious irregularities that put the population and the environment at risk.

The targets of the inspection were three dams built by the São Francisco and Parnaíba Valleys Development Company (Codevasf) and two by the National Department of Works Against Droughts (Dnocs). The Marcado dos Pereira and Colégio dams, in Feira Grande, and Marcado Grande, Campo Grande and Itapicuru, in the city of Campo Grande, were evaluated by technicians from team 12, accompanied by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF). All of them were subject to inspection in 2019, in the 10th stage of the FPI.

Inspection of the dams is carried out by technicians from the State Secretariat for the Environment and Water Resources of Alagoas (Semarh), the Environmental Institute (IMA) and the Regional Engineering and Agronomy Council (Crea), in addition to the Environmental Police Battalion (BPA/PMAL).

Although classified as low risk because they are not close to inhabited areas, these structures carry with them a potential for significant damage, especially in the face of catastrophic natural events, due to the ability of dams to contain the effects of floods or maintain water reserves in the event of dry.

Public company wants to transfer dam management to municipalities

In a prior discussion with Codevasf, the MPF and Semarh were informed of the public company’s interest in passing on responsibility for the dams to the respective municipalities, Campo Grande and Feira Grande. If there is no municipal interest, the company’s intention is to divest the units.

The coordinator of the FPI Dam Safety team, Luciano Lima, pointed out the various damages and highlighted the importance of documents, such as the stability report, for approval of the Dam Safety Plan, highlighting the need for urgent measures to mitigate risks .

The Semarh inspection supervisor highlighted that he has been seeking technical information about the work and, like Dnocs, Codevasf has not been taking the necessary measures to ensure that the dams are maintained. “Codevasf has been behaving like Dnocs, it has not even presented the dam safety plan and many other documents provided for by law”, commented Luciano Lima.

Tragedies can be avoided with prevention

It is important to highlight that attention to dams has gained relevance since the tragic collapses in Minas Gerais, in the cities of Mariana and Brumadinho. However, extreme weather events, such as those that occurred in Alagoas in 2010, reinforce the importance of these structures not only as water reservoirs, but as safety instruments in the face of floods and as an integral part of the region’s socioeconomic infrastructure.

A safe dam is not only one that withstands physical pressures, but also one that meets structural, economic, environmental and social requirements. Regular inspections are crucial to identify and correct possible faults, ensuring everyone’s safety.

Attorney of the Republic Érico Gomes Souza, member of the MPF’s environmental nucleus in Alagoas, highlighted the worrying situation in which the dams in Alagoas find themselves. “It appears that there is a modus operandi in the conduct of Codevasf and Dnocs. Both have abandoned their businesses that are vital to the surrounding communities, whether in water supply or in fish and livestock farming.”

“The dams visited today have the same problems: excess vegetation, lack of maintenance, drainage and movement of animals and vehicles, causing surface erosion and, probably, also in the foundation of the dams. Urgent measures are necessary, especially given the recent reports of earthquakes that hit the region, and the MPF will adopt the necessary legal and judicial measures for entrepreneurs to assume their responsibilities”, concluded Érico Gomes.

Extreme weather events have become increasingly common, and the tendency is for this to continue. The dams that already exist play an essential role in the semi-arid and hinterland of the state. FPI, in partnership with the most diverse environmental inspection bodies, remains committed to ensuring environmental safety and the protection of the population, acting to correct distortions and avoid tragedies.

*With consultancy