Estacao de Aguas Fluviais Ressaca Sarandi - Stormwater Treatment in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Estacao de Aguas Fluviais Ressaca Sarandi is a stormwater treatment facility located in the Pampulha neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais state in southeastern Brazil. The plant serves a population of around 317,000 residents, making it a significant component of the city's water management infrastructure. It is situated near the Pampulha Lagoon, an artificial lake created in the 1930s that is central to the area's drainage and flood control. Brazil's wastewater treatment standards are governed by federal regulations under the National Environmental Council (CONAMA) and state-level environmental agencies. For large urban agglomerations like Belo Horizonte, secondary treatment is typically required to protect receiving water bodies. The plant's stormwater focus means it handles runoff during rain events, reducing pollution loads entering the lagoon. The treated water from the plant flows into the Pampulha Lagoon, which drains into the Ribeirao da Onca stream and eventually reaches the Rio das Velhas, a major tributary of the Sao Francisco River. The Sao Francisco River basin is ecologically vital, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for millions of people. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Pampulha Lagoon, which is a recreational and cultural landmark, from urban runoff pollution.

The plant discharges into the Pampulha Lagoon, an artificial lake in Belo Horizonte that drains into the Ribeirao da Onca stream, a tributary of the Rio das Velhas. The Rio das Velhas flows into the Sao Francisco River, one of Brazil's most important waterways, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and human consumption. The Pampulha Lagoon is ecologically sensitive due to urban runoff and eutrophication risks, making the plant's stormwater treatment critical for maintaining water quality.