The city of Campinas has announced significant delays to its critical flood control infrastructure projects, with a top official delivering a stark warning to residents about the upcoming rainy season.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Campinas Infrastructure Secretary Carlos José Barreiro confirmed that the delivery timeline for macrodrainage works in the Ribeirão Anhumas basin has been pushed back. The projects, designed to reduce flooding along major avenues like Orosimbo Maia and Princesa D'Oeste, will now take considerably longer to complete than originally planned.
Two major detention basins, commonly referred to as 'piscinões,' have had their completion dates extended. The RP-1 reservoir in the Proença area has been rescheduled from June 2026 to June 2027, representing a full year delay. Meanwhile, the RS-1 reservoir at Praça da Ópera will now be delivered in March 2028 instead of the previously planned July 2027 date.
When asked directly whether these detention basins would help reduce flooding during the next summer season, Barreiro offered a sobering assessment. "No, not yet," he stated plainly. The secretary explained that the benefits of these infrastructure improvements will only be realized once the reservoirs are fully completed and operational.
Barreiro attributed the delays to several technical challenges encountered during construction. These include the need to reinforce tunnels in areas with unstable soil conditions, conflicts with existing electrical networks, and the complexity of maintaining operations at the Municipal Market and central road systems while construction work proceeds nearby.
The secretary also provided an update on current construction progress. The Proença reservoir in Jardim Paranapanema is approximately 60 percent complete, while the Serafim reservoir at Praça da Ópera has reached roughly 20 percent completion. Barreiro emphasized that the most severe flooding events are caused not by total rainfall volume, but by intense precipitation concentrated in short time periods.
Additional flood control projects remain in the planning stages. The RP-4 reservoir, slated for construction at Praça Ralph Stettinger on Avenida Princesa D'Oeste, is still awaiting a public tender process. Barreiro indicated the project specifications are in their final adjustments, with the bidding announcement expected between June and July 2026.
The city is also conducting studies for drainage improvements in the Lagoa do Taquaral area near the former kartodrome, with research expected to conclude within 60 to 90 days. Based on reporting from g1.