São Paulo’s Main Water System Falls to 26% as Heat Wave Drives Surge in Use

Overview

• The Integrated Metropolitan system, which supplies about 22 million people, is at roughly 26% of usable capacity, with Cantareira and Alto Tietê near 20%.
• Sabesp says water demand jumped by up to 60% in parts of Greater São Paulo during a record December heat wave, straining reservoir recovery.
• Nighttime pressure reduction currently runs from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Arsesp’s contingency bands tie lower reservoir thresholds to longer cuts and potential emergency steps up to rationing.
• Authorities report 57 billion liters saved between Aug. 28 and Dec. 16 from pressure reductions, a volume they say could supply 10 million people for 30 days.
• Sabesp reports continuous monitoring, increased pumping, targeted nighttime supply, and water trucks in critical areas, while forecasts indicate below-average January rainfall and an elevated risk of escalation under the contingency rules.