The Barra Limpa project was launched in 2017 with the objective of diagnosing and mitigating the impacts associated with sewage discharge into the Jacarepaguá lagoon complex in Rio de Janeiro. The complex's area of influence has been extensively developed over the past decades and comprises a mix of commercial and residential developments, as well as a large number of socially and economically vulnerable communities. In these areas, particularly, development was not preceded by infrastructure planning that could ensure orderly growth. For decades, the discharge of domestic sewage has been observed untreated directly into the water bodies that flow into the lagoon complex and ultimately reach Barra da Tijuca beach. Compounding the lack of basic sanitation in these more vulnerable areas, the existing infrastructure in other areas had numerous damages and was inoperative in many cases. Through the analysis of environmental and operational data from the current collection and treatment system, criteria were established for prioritizing environmental recovery actions. The diagnosis and conceptual strategy were presented at a public hearing convened by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro on 09/20/2018, at the Barra da Tijuca community chamber, with the participation of civil society representatives. The result was the signing of a Term of Adjustment of Conduct (TAC) between the concessionaire - at the time (CEDAE) - and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rio de Janeiro, focusing on notifying condominiums not connected to the current network and recovering all pumping station infrastructure in the region. Check out some photos of the project:
