Structure delivered by Samarco increases supply autonomy, improves water quality, and comes under municipal management

The population of the district of São Tomé do Rio Doce, in Tumiritinga/MG, now has a new and modern water supply system, capable of ensuring greater water security, continuity of supply, and better operating conditions. The structure was implemented by Samarco and formally handed over to the public authorities, as provided for in the New Rio Doce Agreement, ratified by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) in November 2024.

The new system includes water intake from the Doce River, a Water Treatment Plant (WTP), a pump house, laboratory, electrical system, automation, and other support structures. The interventions represents a significant advance in the local sanitation infrastructure, directly contributing to residents’ quality of life and to strengthening public management of the service.

Municipality of Tumiritinga, the system began operating with an intake capacity of up to three liters per second, a volume considered sufficient by the Municipality of Tumiritinga to meet the district’s current demand. The structure also includes a tank with a capacity of 20,000 liters and a 15,000-liter elevated reservoir, ensuring approximately two days of supply autonomy, an essential factor in contingency situations.
“This handover represents a tangible benefit for the population of São Tomé do Rio Doce and for the municipality of Tumiritinga. The new system increases the community’s water security, improves supply quality, and strengthens the municipality’s capacity to manage the service. This measure is set out in the Agreement, focused on generating lasting benefits for society,” says Ítalo Caldas Orlando, an engineer at Samarco.

After the works were completed, the Water Treatment Plant was formally transferred to the Municipality of Tumiritinga, which is now solely responsible for the operation, maintenance, and management of the supply system in the district, ensuring the full use of the infrastructure for the benefit of the local population.