São Paulo Orders Immediate Water Use Cuts as Reservoirs Drop to 26.5%

Overview

• The state issued a consumption alert on Dec. 25 urging shorter showers, halting non‑essential uses like filling pools or washing sidewalks, and prioritizing drinking and hygiene.
• A heat wave drove water demand up to 60% higher in some areas, with São Paulo hitting 35.9°C on Dec. 25 under an Inmet orange heat alert.
• The integrated system’s usable storage fell from 28.7% on Oct. 24 to 27.2% on Dec. 22 and 26.5% on Dec. 26, while the Cantareira system is reported near or below 20%.
• Contingency operations remain at faixa 3 with 10 hours of nightly pressure reduction, escalating to 12 hours if levels stay below about 22.6% for seven consecutive days.
• Sabesp reports operational maneuvers and targeted deliveries by water trucks to maintain supply and asks residents to limit consumption to essential needs.