Análise sobre a presença do esgoto sanitário em galerias de águas pluviais na cidade de Brumado-BA

Abstract

The presence of sanitary sewage effluent in stormwater galleries within a Separate Sewer System triggers a series of problems across various domains, including social, financial, infrastructural, environmental, and public health. Due to the corrosion generated by acids formed from gases produced during sewage decomposition, stormwater galleries, which are not necessarily constructed with sulfate-resistant materials, suffer structural damage. Consequently, infrastructural problems may arise as the pavement above the galleries collapses into the voids formed after the galleries' structural failure, affecting roadways and vehicular traffic, often rendering them impassable. Furthermore, this can cause discomfort to nearby residents due to the foul-smelling gases released by the presence of sanitary sewage, which migrate through the damaged spaces, making such areas undesirable and devalued. Since the stormwater effluent transported by the galleries does not require treatment before being discharged into receiving water bodies, the excessive concentration of sanitary sewage in this part of the system can lead to pollution and even contamination of these water bodies, potentially causing environmental damage. The contamination of receiving water bodies facilitates the dissemination of pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in the proliferation of waterborne diseases and consequently triggering public health issues, necessitating the adoption of measures to solve or at least mitigate these problems. The objective of this study was to analyze the impacts of the presence of sanitary sewage in the system responsible for transporting stormwater in the city of Brumado/BA, which lacks a sewage collection network and a separate sewer system, using stormwater galleries to transport domestic sewage, in non-compliance with technical standards. The main problems observed included the deterioration of galleries, damage to pavements, effluent flowing onto streets through damages, foul odors, significant accumulation of effluent, including in open areas, and the discharge of

untreated effluent into receiving water bodies. The observed impacts stem from the non- application of environmental legislation, resulting in inconveniences for the population,

as well as causing harm to the environment and public health.