This program’s objective is to monitor the reservoir´s water quality, collecting data on physical and chemical characteristics of the water and biological characterization of the Tocantins river and its main affluents. In addition, the program contributes to the detection of possible pollution sources from human activity.
The works started during the river phase in order to have results that would allow for the analysis and their comparison to the reservoir phase’s results. For this program implementation, a limnology laboratory was built next to the Plant, and all physical, chemical and biological analyses, until the reservoir filling, were made by Investco. After the conclusion of the monitoring activities initially planned in the program, all the sophisticated equipment purchased by the company to equip the limnology laboratory were donated to the State University of Tocantins (abbreviated in Portuguese as UNITINS).
With the conclusion of the work proposed in the program and considering the relevance of continuous monitoring, Investco continues researching. The Limnological Monitoring - Operation Phase - was extended throughout the Plant’s concession period, being executed in 17 strategic reservation points, quarterly, with collections of subsurface and bottom.
These actions allow the water classification according to the quality standards proposed in the Conama Resolution, and contribute to ichthyological research and scientific knowledge of the region’s ecosystems, besides providing subsidies for the reservoir multiple uses. The Program also generates basic data for the assessment of the potential for aquatic macrophytes development and for the actions of protection of generation equipment.
According to the monitoring already accomplished, considering the Water Quality Index (WQI) criterion adopted by the Environmental Sanitation Technology Company (abbreviated in Portuguese as CETESB) and other organizations in the sector, the reservoir’s water quality is evaluated between good and excellent. However, it should be made clear that, for human consumption, the water must receive adequate treatment by the sanitation company.