Portuguese 
With a capacity to store 2.56 billion liters, the Beré Dam will stand 45.35 meters tall and aims to increase the water supply for drinking, agriculture, and fish farming in the Ceará Cariri region.
The Beré Dam is set to begin construction in November in the municipality of Jardim, located in the Ceará Cariri area. Its objective is to increase water supply, reduce dependence on springs, and benefit activities such as agriculture and fish farming.
Beré Dam Will Span 205 Meters
Estimated at R$ 55.3 million (about US$10.5 million), the new dam will have the capacity to store 2.56 million cubic meters of water, which is equivalent to 2.56 billion liters. The structure will reach a maximum height of 45.35 meters and extend 205 meters.
The project will be executed by the Beré Dam Consortium, comprising GCR Construções S/A and Construtora Gurgel Ltda. The group won the National Electronic Bid No. 20260001 with a proposal of R$ 55,336,652.18 (about US$10.5 million).
-
Vibra Signs R$ 1.28 Billion Contract with Inpasa for Anhydrous Ethanol Supply Until May 2029, Agreement Considers Volumes, Prices, Logistics, and Delivery Capacity in Major Biofuel Operation
-
New Pix Rules Will Require Institutions to Notify Users Marked for Fraud Suspicion and Respond to Disputes Within Seven Days
-
Brick Mansion That Once Housed Bradesco in Downtown Joinville Heads to Auction for R$3.2 Million; Abandoned Building Has Over 1,300 m² and 37 Years of History, Starting Bids on September 29
-
Itaú Auction Sells Apartments Starting at R$ 15,000 Across 16 States, Finding Buyers with Discounts Up to 85%
According to Ramon Rodrigues, the Secretary of Water Resources in Ceará, the work is expected to last 18 months from the issuance of the service order, with the completion scheduled for approximately April 2028.
Funding for the project will come from the Government of Ceará and the Caixa Econômica Federal. The dam will be constructed using Rolled Compact Concrete technology, known by the acronym CCR.
Reservoir Will Reduce Dependence on Springs
The primary purpose of the Beré Dam will be to ensure water for human and animal consumption. The project may also increase water availability for irrigation, intensive fish farming, recreation, and other economic activities in the region.
Currently, Jardim is primarily supplied by springs, while deep wells serve as auxiliary sources. As stated by Wyldevânio Vieira da Silva, President of the Salgado Sub-basin Hydrographic Committee, the flow from some springs has been decreasing as the population grows.
These springs serve simultaneously for human supply, irrigation, and ecosystem maintenance. The implementation of the reservoir will allow water to be accumulated during the rainy season, which mainly occurs between January and June.
“The construction of the Beré Dam has been a long-standing demand from the local population due to the need for a reservoir to store water during the rainy season,” Ramon Rodrigues stated to Diário do Nordeste.
Agriculture and Fish Farming Could Gain a New Water Source
The dam may serve properties dedicated to cultivating vegetables and irrigated fruit farming. According to Wyldevânio, the structure could also create the possibility of perennial streams and offer an alternative for water collection intended for community supply.
The expectation is that this diversification will reduce direct withdrawals from springs, thereby leaving more water available for natural environments and ecological services connected to ecosystem maintenance.
One potential beneficiary is the Soldadinho-do-Araripe, an endemic bird in the Cariri region associated with flowing water environments. Wyldevânio, who is also a biologist and holds a master’s degree in sustainable development, links the conservation of the species to the preservation of spring flow.
However, no specific study currently exists to quantify the effects of the Beré Dam on the bird. Such an evaluation can only be conducted once the new system is operational.
Supply Will Depend on Complementary Structure
The completion of the dam does not mean that water will immediately reach homes. The Autonomous Water and Sewage Service of Jardim currently uses a system that captures water from sources and transports it for treatment.
To take advantage of the accumulated volume in the Beré Dam, it will be necessary to implement a dedicated collection and transport structure. Only after this stage will it be possible to calculate how many families will start using the reservoir instead of the springs.
The project will require the expropriation of 14 areas belonging to 12 families. According to the Department of Water Resources, however, there will be no resettlement.
The dam already has a preliminary license, while the installation license is still in the process of being released. The Watershed Committee of the Salgado Basin is monitoring the licensing and intends to oversee the execution of the work.
Jardim is part of the Salgado Watershed, located in the south of Ceará, and is part of the Jaguaribe River Basin. The watershed encompasses 23 municipalities and has a drainage area of 12,865 square kilometers, equivalent to 8.25% of the state’s territory.
