Well management, Brazil

Resource-saving techniques in well rehabilitation and sustainable well management are protecting the groundwater and bringing sustainable improvement to the security of the population’s supply of drinking water in Brazil.

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
In the federal state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Berlinwasser is engaged in the transfer of know-how and technology, to the benefit of its partners – state water utilities and enterprises specializing in well construction and maintenance.

The project in brief

• Rehabilitation and maintenance of wells
• Know-how and technology transfer
• Implementation of a well management system
• Pilot projects

Project form	Consulting (technical assistance)
Finance	Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GTZ)
Partner	pigadi GmbH
Value of contract	€ 229,000
Term	January 2006 – July 2007

Background
The pilot project, which ran until mid-2007, started out in Minas Gerais, with the subsequent aims of familiarizing other Brazilian states with the well management system and developing new business contacts.

The project rehabilitated wells and enhanced quality awareness among local technical staff, spreading the word that even in the country’s arid regions, targeted water management can ensure that the population receives an adequate supply of drinking water.

BWI has been developing water management systems in Brazil since 2005 and is bringing transparency to well-related services. Well operators and institutions are introduced to BWI’s programme of services through demonstration projects, seminars and informational events.

In addition to technical meetings, the know-how transfer comprises documents such as service and operational instructions and informational and training materials. BWI trains local specialists, who form a pool of experts that will be available over the long-term to Brazilian well operators.