Itapira alleges a collapse in the water collection system and declares a water emergency; understand

Itapira City Hall declared a water emergency this Thursday (12) alleging a collapse in the water supply. The measure is valid for up to 180 days.

Water resources will be a priority for human consumption, prohibiting non-essential uses. The city may adopt water rotation with 24 hours notice.

Residents have suffered from a lack of water since last Friday (6). The Autonomous Water and Sewage Service may contract directly without bidding.

The crisis was caused by mechanical breakdowns in raw water pumping equipment in Ribeirão da Penha. A technical report indicated system overload.

Failure to comply with the measures will generate a warning. If there is a repeat offense, a fine of R$67.67 will be applied directly to the water bill, an amount that doubles later.

Alleging collapse of the system for capturing, treating and distributing treated water, the City of Itapira (SP) declared a water emergency this Thursday (12). The measure is valid for up to 180 days, and may be revoked if the supply in the city is regularized.

With the decree, during the emergency period, available resources will be allocated primarily to human consumption, and the city can adopt a rotation system with at least 24 hours' notice.

During this period, the use of treated water for non-essential purposes is prohibited, such as:

washing sidewalks and vehicles

irrigation of lawns, gardens and flowerbeds, public or private;

filling and replacing water in swimming pools.

Since last Friday (6), residents have faced problems with a lack of water, and have had to make do with jerry cans to shower, cook or do household chores.

With the measure, the Autonomous Water and Sewage Service is authorized to carry out direct contracts without the need for bidding for the purchase of goods, parts, rental of machines and contracting of services to reestablish abstraction in the city.

According to the decree, the water problem occurs due to mechanical breakdowns in raw water pumping equipment in Ribeirão da Penha. A technical report also highlighted an overload of the operating system and an imminent risk to public health due to shortages.

The water emergency decree provides that in case of non-compliance with the measures provided by the city hall, the offender will receive a warning upon first detection, with an administrative fine being applied from the first repeat offense.

In this case, the fine will be 10 Fiscal Units of the Municipality of Itapira (UFMI), which corresponds to R$ 67.67 in 2026 values, charged directly to the property's water bill.

The value of the fine doubles in case of new offenses, accompanied by the installation of a flow reducer at the measuring point.