With water management, Porto Sudeste reaches an 86% reuse rate

Through actions focused on effluent treatment and the use of rainwater, Porto Sudeste — a private enterprise located in the Itaguaí region — has reached an 86% water reuse rate in its operations. In 2019, only 42% of the water used at Porto Sudeste was reused. Six years later, that figure has nearly doubled.

The Rainwater Treatment and Reuse Stations (ETRAPs) operate with independent drainage systems capable of separating clean hillside water from the water that flows through operational areas and carries industrial residues. Meanwhile, the installation of the Sewage/Sanitary Effluent Treatment Station (ETE), integrated with the industrial water system, has increased the use of reclaimed water, significantly reducing the need for groundwater extraction.

As a result, consumption of water supplied by the local utility has also decreased: per thousand tons handled, it dropped from 2.06 liters in 2019 to 0.77 liters in 2024 — a reduction of over 62%.
This shift significantly reduces pressure on the aquifers that supply Itaguaí, a region where groundwater is the main source of water consumption. By preserving this vital resource, the company contributes to the city’s water resilience and ensures greater availability of water for local populations and ecosystems. With less exploitation of aquifers, the terminal’s operations support the region’s water sustainability by protecting strategic reserves and ensuring future availability for urban and environmental use.

Water is essential for the terminal’s environmental controls, such as spraying ore piles to reduce dust emissions, wetting internal roads, and cleaning operational areas. Additionally, water is crucial in emergencies, such as fire containment.

“Water is an essential input for our operations, but precisely because it is used continuously, we must manage it responsibly. It is a valuable resource for society and must be preserved consciously out of respect for the local community as well. Our commitment is to demonstrate that it is possible to combine operational efficiency with long-term, concrete water sustainability,” says Ulisses Oliveira, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Porto Sudeste.

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