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With completion expected in the second semester, the new pipeline will start from the Saboó reservoir in Santos, cross the port channel, and reach Vicente de Carvalho. The structure will not reduce the supply to Santos and Cubatão and is part of a set of investments aimed at expanding the production, storage, and distribution of water in the Baixada Santista.
The underwater crossing under construction beneath the Santos Port channel will increase the delivery of treated water to Guarujá to tackle historical supply difficulties. The project receives an investment of R$ 134.7 million and is expected to benefit more than 450,000 people.
The project plans the installation of over five kilometers of pipes. Of this total, 1.5 kilometers will be placed under the port channel, forming a connection capable of transporting 500 liters of treated water per second.
Completion is expected in the second semester. The structure will enhance service to Vicente de Carvalho, affected by water shortages during drought periods and also in high season months when consumption increases in the region.
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Underwater crossing will have a route between reservoirs
The water used in the system will be produced by the Cubatão Water Treatment Station. Then, it will follow through Sabesp’s reservoirs until it reaches the Saboó reservoir in Santos.
From this point, the new pipeline will conduct the water under the Santos Port channel. The route will end at the Vicente de Carvalho reservoir, increasing the capacity to transport treated water to Guarujá.
Despite the expansion, the project will not reduce the supply intended for Santos or Cubatão. The Cubatão ETA, responsible for production, has sufficient capacity to serve the three municipalities.
It will be the second underwater connection under the channel. The existing structure connects Ponta da Praia in Santos to Vila Lígya in Guarujá and can also send up to 500 liters of water per second to Santo Amaro Island.
Investments include storage and new station
The underwater crossing is part of a broader set of sanitation works in the Baixada Santista. The package planned for the next three years totals R$ 8 billion, according to Secretary Natália Resende.
Another ongoing project is the Potable Water Reservoir Lung of the Mambu Branco System. The structure will have a total capacity of 40 million liters and was planned to reduce impacts on production during episodes of heavy rain.
The new Melvi Water Treatment Station is also being constructed. With a capacity of 1,270 liters per second, the unit is expected to structurally expand the production of treated water destined for the region starting in 2027.
The project is part of Sabesp’s investment cycle following privatization. In 2025, the company invested R$ 15.2 billion in infrastructure, an amount 120% higher than the R$ 6.9 billion recorded the previous year.
The goal presented is to advance the universal access to water and sanitation services in the municipalities served by the company to 2029.
Robot dog helps in work inspections
During the work, Sabesp began using the robot dog DOM in inspections of pipelines, galleries, and confined spaces. The equipment is remotely controlled and reduces the need for workers to be exposed to operational risks.
The robot has a high-definition camera, its own lighting, and sensors capable of detecting gases. The information collected is transmitted in real-time to trained professionals who monitor the conditions of the structures and the progress of interventions.
With a two-hour autonomy and removable batteries, DOM can be used both in construction works and in monitoring the networks operated by the company.
The new connection combines infrastructure expansion, increased transport capacity, and inspection technology to tackle supply fluctuations in Guarujá.
Do you live in Baixada Santista or have you faced water shortages in Guarujá during droughts or peak season? Share in the comments how the problem affects your routine and if you believe the new structure could improve supply in the affected neighborhoods.
