High river turbidity from heavy rainfall prompts operational curbs and emergency truck deliveries
Brazilian water utility Sabesp reduced its water treatment and distribution operational capacity by 20% across the Baixada Santista coastal region. Marco Antonio Barros, director of water production and treatment operations at Sabesp, explained the operational constraints on 16 September 2026.
The operational cut followed heavy downpours along the coastline. Rainfall accumulation in the area reached 180% above the regional average for September 2026, which substantially increased turbidity levels in local rivers and slowed standard treatment processes.
To mitigate service disruptions at critical locations, Sabesp deployed 160 thousand liters of emergency water using tanker trucks to support essential facilities across the affected municipalities.
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