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Water infrastructure connects the São Francisco River to reservoirs in the Semi-arid region, with canals, tunnels, and pumping stations used to expand supply in four states and integrate systems that serve millions of residents in the Northeast.
The São Francisco River Integration Project expands the water supply in the Semi-arid region and serves about 12 million people in 390 municipalities of Pernambuco, Paraíba, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte, according to the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development.
With 477 kilometers distributed between the North and East axes, the project is classified by the federal government as the largest water infrastructure work in the country, under the management of the MIDR.
The structure was planned to integrate basins, reinforce reservoirs, and support supply in areas historically affected by prolonged drought periods.
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How the São Francisco water travels through the Semi-arid region
The operation of the PISF depends on canals, tunnels, reservoirs, pumping stations, control structures, and adductor systems.
This set allows the water captured in the São Francisco River to cross areas of elevated terrain and be conducted to urban and rural supply systems.
The route is divided into two main corridors, with different functions within the distribution network.
Through the North Axis, the water flows to reservoirs and water systems connected to Paraíba, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte.
The East Axis serves areas of Pernambuco and Paraíba, aiming to expand supply in regions where water availability is lower.
In locations where scarcity compromises human supply, food production, and animal husbandry, the integration of São Francisco operates as support infrastructure to reduce risks during prolonged drought periods.
“The São Francisco River Integration Project is much more than an infrastructure work. It represents the guarantee of water security for millions of Brazilians living in the Semi-arid region,” said Giuseppe Vieira, National Secretary of Water Security of the MIDR.
North Axis starts in Cabrobó and overcomes the sertão’s uneven terrain
In the North Axis, the capture occurs in Cabrobó, in the sertão of Pernambuco, directly in the São Francisco River.
From this point, the EBI-1 Pumping Station begins the movement of water through the channels that make up the first stage of the route.
The advance through the Semi-arid region requires the overcoming of natural terrain elevations.
For this, the system uses successive pumping stations, including EBI-2, in Terra Nova, and EBI-3, in Salgueiro, both in Pernambuco.
These structures raise the water by about 180 meters, a height comparable to a building of approximately 60 floors.
After this stage, the flow continues to the Tucutu Reservoir, still in Cabrobó, before proceeding through the project’s channels.
Following the route, the water travels through new structures until it reaches the Caiçara Reservoir, in São José de Piranhas, in Paraíba.
The reservoir functions as a distribution point, as it allows redirecting part of the flow to different areas served by the system.
Apodi Branch extends the reach of the transposition
From the Caiçara Reservoir, the Apodi Branch departs, a structure designed to extend the arrival of waters to areas of Paraíba, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte.
With about 115.5 kilometers, the branch is part of the expansion of the network associated with the North Axis.
At kilometer 30 of the Apodi Branch, in Cachoeira dos Índios, in Paraíba, there is a division of the transported flow.
Part of the water heads towards Ceará, via the Salgado Branch.
The other part continues along the original route towards Rio Grande do Norte.
The route directed to the Potiguar territory passes through the Major Sales Tunnel and reaches the Angicos Reservoir.
This connection integrates the system of channels to reservoirs that can enhance the supply of areas served by the integration.
The regulated arrival of São Francisco water to Rio Grande do Norte began on August 5, 2025, according to a federal government announcement.
With this, the state began to integrate a new stage of operation within the PISF.
Salgado Branch brings water to Ceará
In Ceará, the Salgado Branch was designed to convey water to the Salgado River basin, a tributary connected to the Castanhão Dam system.
The structure is approximately 36 kilometers and is part of the set of works associated with the water security of Ceará municipalities.
The Castanhão is the largest reservoir in Ceará and plays a central role in the state’s supply.
By connecting the São Francisco Project to this basin, the branch increases the availability of water for systems that operate during drought periods.
Among the components of the Salgado Branch is the Saco dos Bois Tunnel, approximately 320 meters long.
The structure is part of the set of works responsible for conducting water to the Salgado River basin, within the expansion of the PISF’s reach.
In addition to human supply, the infrastructure serves areas where irregular rainfall interferes with productive activities.
The presence of water in reservoirs and pipelines provides support to municipalities dependent on water systems subject to climatic variations.
Eastern Axis supplies Pernambuco and Paraíba since 2017
Through the Eastern Axis, the waters of the São Francisco began to reinforce the supply of municipalities in Pernambuco and Paraíba starting in 2017.
The initiative contributed to increasing water availability in urban and rural areas of the Semi-arid region.
The route of the Eastern Axis crosses areas of Pernambuco and reaches Paraíba, integrating structures responsible for delivering water to regional distribution systems.
According to MIDR, the project is organized into two axes, North and East, totaling 477 kilometers in length.
With the operation of the structural axes, the waters of the PISF reached the four states planned in the project.
This progress occurred gradually, as sections were completed, stations began operation, and connections with state reservoirs were made.
Water security gains scale in the Northeast
The São Francisco River Integration Project is part of the National Water Resources Policy and seeks to reduce the exclusive dependence on rainfall in Semi-arid areas.
The proposal is to provide more predictability to supply in regions where drought is recurrent.
The transposition does not replace local water management actions but increases the available supply for states facing pressure on reservoirs, pipelines, and water sources.
The operation of the system also requires continuous maintenance of structures and coordination between the Union and state governments.
In practice, canals, tunnels, and stations form a network of water transfer between basins.
The water captured from the São Francisco travels long distances, overcomes elevation differences, and reaches reservoirs used for supplying cities, rural communities, and productive activities.
The PISF created a permanent water support infrastructure for Pernambuco, Paraíba, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte.
The estimated reach of 12 million people indicates the system’s dimension within policies aimed at supply in the Semi-arid region.
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