Itapeva begins disinfecting reservoirs after identifying parasites in the water; neighborhoods could be affected

The Basic Sanitation Company of the State of São Paulo (Sabesp) began, on Monday (9), a washing and disinfection operation of 21 water reservoirs in Itapeva (SP).

The measure was taken after the Adolfo Lutz Institute, in the capital of São Paulo, identified a protozoan in the water distributed to the city's population. According to the company, the service will be carried out in three stages, lasting until Wednesday (4).

Disinfection will always be carried out from 10pm onwards, to avoid inconvenience to city residents. Due to the more than 2,600 cases of gastroenteritis caused by the presence of the protozoan, bottles of mineral water and sodium hypochlorite were distributed to the population as a form of disinfection.

The company states that disinfection will follow the hydraulic direction of the supply system, that is, from the point of origin. The work will begin with the reservoirs that receive water directly from the Water Treatment Station (ETA) and will progress to those supplied by the reservoirs.

Instituto Adolfo Lutz found the protozoan Cryptosporidium spp. in four of ten samples collected in Itapeva (SP) — Photo: TV TEM

During the disinfection process, the water supply may be partially interrupted in some neighborhoods. Normalization is expected by 11pm the following day. Check out the full list:

Stage 1 (expected completion at 11pm on 10/11):

Pedrão neighborhood;

Central Park;

Center;

Jardim Vitória Housing Complex;

Industrial District;

Jardim Dona Miriam;

Jardim Europa IV;

Ferrari Garden;

Jardim Grajaú;

Sunset Garden;

Jardim Santa Rosa;

Long Life Subdivision;

Pedro;

Water Pylon;

Dry Bridge;

Ribeirão Fundo;

Saint Matthew;

Vila Bom Jesus;

Vila dos Comerciários;

Isabel Village;

Vila Maringá;

Vila Ribas;

Vila São Francisco de Assis;

Vila São José;

Vila São Miguel;

Taquari Village;

Vista Alegre II.

Stage 2 (expected completion at 11pm on 11/11):

Industrial Area;

CECAP;

Cidade Jardim;

Pine Hill;

Emílio de la Rua Bajo Housing Complex;

São Camilo Housing Complex;

Tancredo Neves Housing Complex;

Industrial District;

Horto do Ipê;

Itapeva 5;

Itapeva E;

Itapeva F;

Itapeva II;

Itapeva V;

Jardim Alvorada;

Jardim América I;

Jardim Bela Vista;

Belvedere Garden;

Jardim Brasil;

California Garden;

Jardim Dona Miriam;

Jardim Esperança;

Jardim Europa III and IV;

Jardim Ferrari and Ferrari III;

Guanabara Garden;

Emperor Garden;

Jardim Iracema;

Jardim Maringá and Maringá III;

Jardim Morada do Sol;

Jardim Paulista;

Pilar Garden;

Jardim Pilar II;

Sunset Garden;

Jardim São Francisco;

Jardim São Paulo;

Virginia Garden;

Kantian/Kantiã;

Moradas de Itapeva Subdivision;

Portal Itapeva Subdivision;

Itapeva Reserve Subdivision;

Mon Blanc;

Abode of the Sun;

Ouroville Park;

Paineiras Park;

Planalto Park;

Itapeva Residential Park;

Paulo IV Residential Park;

Parque Vista Alegre;

Recanto Pilão d’Água;

Ouroville Residential;

Residencial Vem Viver Itapeva;

Santa Marina;

Santo Antônio;

Vila Aparecida;

Vila Boava;

Vila Camargo;

Vila Dignidade;

Guarani Village;

Isabel Village;

Vila Nossa Senhora de Fátima;

Vila Nova;

Ophelia Village;

Vila Santana;

Vila São Francisco de Assis;

Vila Sônia.

Stage 3 (expected completion at 11pm on 11/12):

Bairro de Cima;

Center;

Emílio de la Rua Bajo Housing Complex;

Jardim Vitória Housing Complex;

Tancredo Neves Housing Complex;

Industrial District;

Jardim Aeroporto;

Hummingbird Garden;

Jardim Bela Vista;

Bonfiglioli Garden;

Jardim Esperança;

Jardim Grajaú II;

Jardim Maringá;

Jardim Nova Itapeva;

Pilar Garden;

Spring Garden;

Jardim São Francisco;

Jardim Vitória;

Kantian;

Botanic Garden Subdivision;

Moradas de Itapeva Subdivision;

Itapeva Reserve Subdivision;

Mato Dentro;

Morada do Bosque;

Cimentolândia Park;

Planalto Park;

São Jorge Park;

Itapeva Portal;

Vila Dom Bosco;

Vila dos Comerciários;

Guarani Village;

Isabel Village;

Vila Santa Maria;

Vila São Benedito;

Vila São Francisco de Assis;

Taquari Village.

The company advises that, during this period, residents make conscious use of water and leave the water tank reserved for at least 24 hours for consumption. After disinfection, new sample collections will be carried out to assess the quality of the water.

State of calamity

Santa Casa de Itapeva (SP) — Photo: Reproduction/TV TEM

The City of Itapeva declared, on Friday (6), a state of public calamity due to the contamination of the water distributed to the population by the parasite Cryptosporidium spp. and by the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli bacteria.

🔎 The protozoan Cryptosporidium spp. It affects the cells of the small intestine and can be transmitted by ingesting water or food contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals. It causes severe diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.

🔎 Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli adheres to the cells of the intestinal mucosa and secretes toxins that damage the intestine. Transmission occurs in the same way and causes liquid diarrhea, malaise and low-grade fever, which can last more than two weeks and cause damage to the absorption of nutrients.

The municipal administration classified the situation as a Level 3 biological disaster, considered of great intensity. According to the decree, the problem compromises the municipality's response capacity and requires the coordinated mobilization of municipal, state and federal governments.

The declaration of public calamity will be valid for 180 days, counting from publication. If the situation continues after this period, the city hall must issue a new decree, accompanied by another technical justification.

With the measure, the city hall is authorized to adopt emergency actions to guarantee the supply of drinking water and reduce risks to the population's health.

Suspended water bill

Sabesp announced, this Thursday (5), six new measures to reinforce water treatment and monitoring in Itapeva (SP) — Photo: TV TEM

Between November 6th and December 5th, Sabesp will suspend the collection of water supply and sewage collection and treatment tariffs in the municipality. The measure, according to Sabesp, will be automatically applied to bills issued during the period, without the need for a request from residents.

According to Sabesp, the measures below are already underway:

Expansion of water filtration capacity and intensification of disinfection processes, including reinforcement of chlorination;

Intensification of network discharges to promote water renewal in the distribution system;

Carrying out four daily collections at different points in the city, in addition to additional analyzes in our own independent laboratories;

Supply of drinking water by tanker trucks in locations indicated by the municipal government;

Installation of water tanks in schools to increase storage capacity.

Virus outbreak

Find out what the symptoms of gastroenteritis are — Photo: Reproduction/TV TEM

Gastroenteritis - popularly known as a virus - is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and fever.

According to the Itapeva Health Department, in most cases, recovery can occur at home, with some care. The main recommendation is to maintain hydration, consuming water, rehydration serum and other liquids throughout the day to replace the amount lost by the body.

The diet should also be maintained, giving preference to light and easily digestible foods, such as soups, fruits and toast. Rest is indicated as long as symptoms persist.

Another important precaution is hand hygiene, especially after going to the bathroom and before preparing or consuming food. The measure helps to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to other people in the house.

The Department of Health also advises that medicines should only be used under medical advice.