In the project Doces Nascentes Capixabas, the EDP Institute supports the Terra Institute by protecting 10 water springs and installing wastewater treatment plants, in the Baixo Guandu’s county, in the state of Espírito Santo, in Brazil. It’s the project’s mission, which started in November 2020, the preservation of local water resources, promoting the recovery and conservation of Rio Guangu, by protecting ten water springs and installing wastewater treatment plants in four rural properties. The Doces Nascentes Capixabas also contributes towards the increase in the amount and quality of resources in the region and promotes awareness in rural farmers and their families of the importance of environmental preservation, by correctly using natural resources.

Environmental degradation and shortage in water resources

The river basin region of Rio Guandu is inserted in the Atlantic Mata biomass and ranges an estimated population of over 88 thousand people. It represents merely one sample of what happens in the entirety of Vale do Rio Doce’s region, which suffers from environmental degradation, severe drought periods, and the increase in hydric consumption beyond the current capacity.

The substantial occupation of the lands and the deforestation of native vegetation for crop implementation, charcoal factories, and pastures, have induced the rapid destruction of water springs and water courses, resulting in entire communities not having access to water in the driest periods.

Caring today, harvest tomorrow

This is the motto of the project and the team of Terra Institute, that even with the imposed limitations by the Covid-19 pandemic, was able to mobilize and sensitize rural farmers and their families about the importance of this action, by explaining its countless benefits.

In the initial stage, field trips were held to identify and assess the conditions of the water springs, their use, soil occupation, and water resources. From then on, the team came up with a technical project that foresees the necessary actions for the recovery of water springs.

Throughout the next stages monitoring of water fences performed by the rural owners will be conducted, as the reforestation of the surrounding areas of the water springs with native species of the Atlantic Mata.

The initiative Doces Nascentes Capixabas is part of the program Olhos D’água, from the Terra Institute, from 2010 protects and recovers water springs from the river basin in Rio Doce, one of the most important ones in Brazil.

Impact (results)