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São Paulo’s Reservoir Levels Keep Falling as Contingency Plan Stays at Phase 3

Regulators maintain 10-hour nightly pressure cuts under the water-savings plan pending any drop to the next threshold.

Overview

  • One month after the state issued consumption curbs, the integrated system’s usable storage fell from 28.7% (Oct. 24) to 26.6% (Nov. 24).
  • The contingency status remains in Phase 3, which requires 10 hours of daily pressure reduction, with Phase 4 triggered only if levels slip below 25.8%.
  • The Cantareira system, the metro area’s main source, declined from 24.2% to 21.6% over the same period, marking its lowest point in nine years.
  • Sabesp says it is cutting network pressure and acting against illegal connections to avoid a repeat of 2014–2016, when pumping from dead storage was required.
  • An opinion column highlights criticism of reliance on distant inter-basin works and notes Sabesp’s privatization and expanded reservoir role after buying Emae.