He Ceará Water Belt (CAC) It is a mega engineering work that, at the end of 2025, will reach the 91 percent of its total physical execution, with a view to completion in June 2026. Brazil’s «artificial river» seeks to be the largest water transfer at the state level.
The project arose as a joint effort between the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Integration and Regional Developmentand the Government of the State of Ceará.
This is one of the most important strategic infrastructures that seeks to guarantee the water security in the northeastern region of Brazilas detailed by the Secretary of Water Resources (SRH) in a statement.
The total extension of the water infrastructure reaches 145.3 kilometers in length. The system consists of open-air channels, siphons and tunnels designed for the efficient transportation of the resource from its origin.
The water collection occurs in the Jati dam, which belongs to the Northern Axis of the Project Integration of the San Francisco River. From that point, the flow runs through the territory until it reaches the sources of the Cariús River, in the municipality of Nova Olinda.
The completion of this system will ensure supply for the region of Caririthe second most populated in the state. The technical design of the project prioritizes human consumption, although it also provides support for industry, tourism and irrigated agriculture.
Economic and social impact of the project in the region
The area of direct influence of the works covers a total of 24 municipalities. This network benefits about 561 thousand people immediately, although its capacity can reach more than 5 million inhabitants if the connection with Fortaleza is considered.
The execution of the tasks is divided into five different construction lots. Sections 1, 2 and 5 have already concluded their activities, while lots 3 and 4 register progress of 86 and 70 percent, respectively.
The total investment in the Water Belt is estimated at approximately 800 million reais. However, the complexity of lots 3 and 4 raised the overall value of those specific sections above the 1,000 million reais.
The economic impact on the region is significant due to the creation of jobs. The work generates more than 1,500 direct jobs and uses a fleet of 500 heavy machines for construction tasks in the interior of the state.
Once the work is completed, the Water Resources Management Company (Cogerh) will assume responsibility for the system. This state entity will carry out the operation, maintenance and monitoring of the volume of water delivered each month.
