A Cooperation Agreement between the Linhares city government and Samarco guarantees the investment needed for the infrastructure, which will serve about 300 buildings in the area

Work on the Water Supply System (WSS) in the Degredo community, in Linhares (ES), has been underway since November of last year, as set out in the Cooperation Agreement signed in June 2025 between the Linhares city government and Samarco. The Degredo WSS will serve approximately 300 buildings, including homes, local businesses, and public facilities. 

The construction is one of the projects included in the New Rio Doce Agreement, signed by Samarco, its shareholders, public authorities, and justice institutions. “This implementation represents a significant step forward in ensuring access to safe drinking water in the region. The initiative also aims to recognize and respect the rights of quilombola communities, with specific measures to ensure a lasting remedy,” says Daniel Ramos, Samarco’s manager for Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities.

At the signing of the Agreement, Linhares Mayor Lucas Scaramussa had already acknowledged the importance of the project: “This achievement symbolizes an achievement for the community that has been waiting a long time for this work, as well as the City’s commitment to quality of life, health, and the well-being of the people of Degredo. By modernizing our supply infrastructure, we ensure safe drinking water and foster the region’s sustainable development.”

More about the project

The system will be implemented by capturing water from a deep well. After treatment, the water will be stored in an elevated reservoir and distributed through approximately 66 km of piping.

The estimated deadline for completing the first stage of the System is 2027, with full completion expected by March 2028. 

After delivery of the supply structure, operations will be the responsibility of Linhares’s Autonomous Water and Sewer Service (SAAE). A 12-month period of assisted operation together with the SAAE was agreed upon after the work is completed.

Impacts on the community

There may be partial road closures or occasional restrictions in narrower stretches due to the construction. All interventions will be properly communicated and posted with signage, with teams using a “stop-and-go” system to manage local traffic.

Signage will be installed along all stretches, ensuring greater safety and organization in local traffic. Cleaning and road restoration will be carried out at the end of each completed segment.

If there are any questions, the community can contact Samarco through its Customer Service at 0800 033 8485.