Infraestrutura de água no Nordeste: um estudo sobre Alagoas e a luta contra a seca

Abstract

The research explores the formation and constitution of infrastructure considering construction, equipment, and systems for water distribution and commercialization in the Northeast, specifically in Alagoas with a focus on Maceió. Data and information have been collected from the late 19th century to the present day, from the perspective of Economic Geography, highlighting the roles of federal, state, and municipal governments. In order to identify the actions of public entities over time and space, a detailed analysis was conducted on the main activities of state-owned enterprises (SAEM, CASAL, CODEVASF, FUNASA, DNOCS) and recent federal programs (such as PAC, São Francisco River transposition, Cistern Program, etc.). Governmental actions have shaped the built environment, inheriting the superstructure that has molded the water supply infrastructure in the state of Alagoas. The specific investigation for Maceió focused on reconstructing the city's main water supply networks and systems: the construction of facilities to capture, store, and distribute water. All investments and spatial interventions, which have expanded access to water for the population, have occurred through state interventions aimed at promoting economic and social development in the Northeast region and the state of Alagoas. Currently, these systems have been sold at low cost to private companies without necessarily demonstrating the same commitment as in previous historical periods.