Fortaleza's Seawater Desalination Plant Essential for Water Security, Say Supporters

The proposed Seawater Desalination Plant in Praia do Futuro, Fortaleza, has come under scrutiny following objections from telecommunications companies. However, proponents of the project, led by Cagece, the water supply and sanitation company of Ceará state, argue that the plant is essential for ensuring water security in the region and that the concerns raised lack technical merit.

☑️ The project has faced resistance from telecommunications companies operating in the Praia do Futuro area, who claim that it poses a risk to submarine cables. However, Cagece contends that these concerns are unfounded and that the plant is a vital component of Ceará's water supply infrastructure.

☑️ One of the key points in Cagece's defense is that the project has undergone rigorous evaluation, including two public consultations, a public hearing, legislative approvals, and validation by relevant government bodies. The company has emphasized that the Seawater Desalination Plant is a strategic part of Ceará's water resources plan and Fortaleza's development plan for 2040. Given the region's vulnerability to changing climate patterns, including the prediction of a severe El Niño event, the project becomes even more critical.

☑️ Cagece also highlights that the Praia do Futuro location was carefully chosen due to its excellent water quality, favorable marine conditions for effluent dispersion, and proximity to Cagece's reservoirs. This choice minimizes the need for extensive public road construction and ultimately results in lower investment and operating costs.

☑️ In response to concerns about potential interference with existing infrastructure, Cagece points out that the Praia do Futuro area has coexisted with various utility networks, including water, sewage, gas, drainage, electricity, internet cables, and railways, without any previous issues. The company has a long history of conducting works and maintenance in the area without causing disruption to internet cables' operation.

☑️ Cagece maintains that the arguments presented by telecommunications companies do not offer any substantial technical basis to justify the project's cancellation. The Seawater Desalination Plant has undergone extensive environmental studies and a transparent public consultation process involving various stakeholders and civil society. Cagece believes that the opposition from telecom companies is overly simplistic and does not take into account the expertise of water resource specialists.

☑️ The company concludes by emphasizing that the Seawater Desalination Plant is a crucial element of ensuring water access for the people of Fortaleza, especially in the face of increasing climate uncertainty. They argue that public interest in providing access to clean and secure water should take precedence over private interests.

☑️ As the debate surrounding the Seawater Desalination Plant in Fortaleza continues, it is clear that proponents of the project believe it to be an essential step toward securing the region's water supply and resilience in the face of a changing climate.