A Baixo Guandu (ES) resident presented a project that proposes to monitor the installation of the planned Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in the municipality, for expansion of treated sewage, improvement of the water quality of water resources and raising awareness among the population on the importance of this public policy, using environmental education as a tool.
Camila Aparecida Correa Miranda, 27, has a degree in Environmental Sanitation Technology and a degree in Agronomy. She is one of the participants of a group of 90 young people who live along the Doce River Basin and participate in the project The Future of the Doce River That’s Us, an agreement between Instituto Elos and the Renova Foundation.
To present her project, Camila Miranda organized the 1st Sanitation Forum in Baixo Guandu, held on August 22, which addressed the future of sanitation with presentations and a roundtable discussion.
The forum included presentations by Herbert Santo de Lima, from Instituto Elos, by the environmental education coordinator of the Municipal Department of Education, Gilse Olinda Moreira, by the Municipal Secretary of Environment, Allony Torres, and by a representative of the Renova Foundation, Monica Maria Almeida Perim.
“Today, sanitation is my dedication. I went to study the topic and grew passionate about it. When writing my final project I noticed that it was also necessary to raise awareness among the community. So, I had the idea of a forum and to invite the population, public authorities and Renova to participate in this action. At the same time, I am conducting research with residents on their understanding of the relationship between basic sanitation and health. The goal is to create awareness and awaken the will to contribute to the improvement of quality of life of our municipality. The next step is to get help from the people, because doing this alone is impossible,” says Camila Miranda.
For the coordinator of Environmental Education, Gilse Moreira, education has a transformative role of change. “Based on environmental education, you have the opportunity to change your habits and contribute to sustainability and a balanced environment, which is our great challenge. It’s a team effort and change of attitude. If everyone does their share, we can get very far. This is what I dream of and live for.”
Photo: Nitro Images
Investments
The Program for Sewage Collection and Treatment and Solid Waste Disposal is fundamental for the revitalization of the Doce River, which was suffering from degradation even before the Fundao dam collapse. In total, the Renova Foundation will disburse R$ 500 million to the 39 municipalities affected in the Doce River Basin.
The municipal secretary of Environment, Allony Torres, highlights the relevance of the compensatory funds. “This resource is of great importance, because with the municipal budget alone we would not be able to install the main sewer system that we need to contribute to the recovery of the water quality of our water sources.”