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Study Proposal to Expand the Arrival of Water from São Francisco in Piauí Promises to Transform the Water Scarcity Scenario, Directly Affecting Communities in the Semiarid Region and Driving Public Policies for Water Security in the Northeast.
The Federal Government took a decisive step to combat water scarcity in the semiarid region of Piauí by authorizing, on Wednesday (23), the Technical and Environmental Feasibility Study (EVTEA) for a new phase of the transposition of the São Francisco River.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, provides for the development of a project that could directly benefit 1 million inhabitants in 131 municipalities in Piauí, bringing water to regions historically affected by severe drought.
The announcement of the authorization of the EVTEA occurred in the context of intensified public policies aimed at water security in northeastern Brazil.
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According to information from the Ministry, the expectation is that the study will cost R$ 8.5 million, an amount that will be borne by the National Water Security Secretariat, an agency linked to the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development.
This investment reinforces the federal commitment to expand access to potable water in the semiarid region, an area marked by long periods of drought and significant social vulnerability.
New Transposition Axis and Impact on Supply in Piauí
The Technical and Environmental Feasibility Study, known as EVTEA, will analyze the water connection between the Sobradinho Reservoir, located in Bahia, and the watersheds of the Piauí and Canindé rivers.
This new axis of the transposition of the São Francisco River will integrate the West Axis of the São Francisco River Integration Project, expanding the reach of the largest water infrastructure undertaking in the country.
According to Bruno Cravo, director of the Department of Strategic Projects of the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, the study will be conducted based on an existing consultancy contract.
The expected impact is direct in 42 municipalities and indirect in another 89, totaling 131 cities served in the semiarid region of Piauí.
Cravo emphasized that the planning of the action is in the final stages, and then data collection and analysis activities will begin, essential steps to enable the start of the works.
São Francisco River Integration Project and Expansion of Water Security
The São Francisco River Integration Project was conceived as a response to the historical lack of water in northeastern Brazil.
Recognized as the largest water infrastructure project in Brazil, this initiative is part of the National Water Resources Policy and aims to ensure supply in regions vulnerable to prolonged drought.
With a total extension of 477 kilometers, the project is divided into two main axes — East and North — covering the states of Pernambuco, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Paraíba.
Throughout its trajectory, the São Francisco River Integration Project includes the construction of 13 aqueducts, 9 pumping stations, 27 reservoirs, 9 substations of 230 kilovolts (kV), 270 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines, and 4 tunnels, essential elements to ensure the flow of water and energy required for the system’s operation.
Perspectives for the Completion of Transposition in the Northeast
In March 2025, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted, during a trip to Rio Grande do Norte, that the total completion of the transposition works is scheduled for the end of his third term, in 2026.
On that occasion, Lula stated that only final steps remain for the Completion of the São Francisco River Integration Project, benefiting directly between 12 and 13 million Northeasterners residing in the semiarid region.
According to the president, “there’s just a little bit left,” reinforcing the government’s commitment to universalizing access to potable water in the Northeast.
During his speech, Lula also emphasized the importance of joint efforts between state governments and municipalities to ensure that the benefits of transposition effectively reach the population, stressing that “if the governors work properly, if the mayors work properly, people will have potable water to drink, the chickens will have water to drink, everyone will have water to drink.”
EVTEA and Sustainable Water Expansion in Piauí
The implementation of the Technical and Environmental Feasibility Study represents a strategic and essential phase for expanding water supply in Piauí.
The EVTEA, as provided by Brazilian environmental legislation, aims to evaluate all environmental, economic, and social impacts of the undertaking, in addition to proposing technical alternatives for the safe and sustainable execution of the project.
Among the study’s stages are route analysis, identification of sensitive areas, surveying affected communities, and developing mitigation measures for potential negative impacts.
With the authorization to initiate the EVTEA, the federal government aims to expedite the transposition process, creating conditions for structural works to be initiated in the coming years.
The progress of this phase is considered fundamental to ensure that the water from the São Francisco River reaches Piauí’s cities efficiently, safely, and sustainably, especially to rural and urban communities that still face scarcity.
Regional Development and Changes for the Piauí Semiarid Region
The expectation is that, with the completion of studies and subsequent execution of works, the new axis of the transposition of the São Francisco River will contribute to the economic and social transformation of the Piauí semiarid region.
The guarantee of regular water supply is seen by experts as a determining factor for regional development, enabling the expansion of irrigated agriculture, strengthening livestock farming, and improving the living conditions of the population.
Investment in water infrastructure, especially in transposition projects like that of the São Francisco River, represents not only an emergency response to drought but also a path to promote social justice, sustainability, and economic growth in historically marginalized regions.
Monitoring and oversight of the EVTEA and future works will be essential to ensure that the benefits reach those who need them most.
Given the scenario of water scarcity, the question that mobilizes public managers, technicians, and the population is: how to ensure that the water from São Francisco, upon reaching Piauí, is truly a source of life and sustainable development for all?
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