ON THE WATERFRONT Project
CRUPsfriver-6453-180308
WORK IN PROGRESS - San Francisco river transposition: A Brazilian government dream since 19th century, a big polemic on 21st century
One of the most critical environmental issues affecting our society today is the management of water resources. In both developed and developing countries the frequent news that rivers are dying, droughts are becoming permanent and water is chronically lacking are disturbing warning signs that distributing and using water properly is essential for avoiding future shortages. Brazil has huge reserves of water and extensive river basins. Thanks to this Brazil is the country with largest water potential in the world, with seventeen per cent of the total volume worldwide. Despite this abundance the water social distribution is unequal throughout the country. This story focuses on the water topic that has been mostly discussed in Brazil: San Francisco River transposition and water distribution for the population from Semi-Arid Northeast Brazilian region. The project have many pros and cons: the government say that the investment of 3,5 billion USD in the first part of the transposition project will benefit 12 million people; opponents say that the transposition will benefit only big farmers, rich producers and poor people will not reach the water from Sao Francisco river transposition. The pictures show people from Sao Francisco valley in their routine, their relationship with the water or the lack of water. In this photo an employee of a Sao Francisco river revitalization project is seen on a boat navigating the river around Barra village, Bahia State.
