Generation Programs

Limnology and Quality of Water – SISÁGUA – CEMIG’S SYSTEM FOR THE RESERVOIR WATER QUALITY CONTROL

A Hydroelectric Power Plant’s reservoir structure creates imbalances in aquatic communities. Physical and chemical alterations in the water may cause a species to disappear or proliferate, may lead to an invasion by new organisms and even cause alterations to nearby communities and lakes.

History of Water Quality Monitoring

With the aim of mitigating the impacts caused by the construction of a dam, Cemig implemented a research policy involving governmental organizations and Universities.

Since 1975, biological studies including the chemical analyses of the water have been conducted regularly, allowing for the local flora and fauna to be preserved and for the water to be used safely for multiple purposes.

SISÁGUA’s objective

To understand and assess the reservoir water quality in terms of limnology, sanitation and suitability for industrial use.

SISÁGUA is divided into three successive and interdependent phases:

SISÁGUA I – Gathering environmental data in the reservoirs and in the draining areas.

SISÁGUA II – Limnological characterization of reservoirs and main tributaries

SISÁGUA III – Limnological Monitoring of reservoirs and main tributaries

Implementation sites

SISÁGUA I – Camargos Hydropower Plant

SISÁGUA II – Volta Grande, Nova Ponte, Peti, Camargos, Machado Mineiro Hydropower Plants

SISÁGUA III – Several river basins in the State:

Grande river: Camargos, Itutinga, Jaguara and Volta Grande Hydropower Plants

São Francisco river: Thermal Power Plant Igarapé and the Gafanhoto, Cajuru and Rio das Pedras Hydropower Plants

Paranaíba river: Emborcação, São Simão e Nova Ponte Hydropower Plants

Paraíba do Sul river: Paciência, Marmelo, Joasal and Piau Hydropower Plants

Doce river: Peti, Dona Rita e Salto Grande Hydropower Plants

Pardo river: Machado Mineiro Hydropower Plant

Nowadays, the level of pollution found in the reservoirs provides data on the effects of pollution in the river basins, meanwhile it supplies parameters for the determining of the monitoring methodologies to be used in every one of Cemig’s reservoirs.