The crisis in the management of leachate in the state of Rio de Janeiro has become the focus of debate in the Legislative Assembly (Alerj) after a public hearing held by the Environment Defense Committee, this Monday (04).
During the meeting, parliamentarians announced a proposal to create a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry to investigate shortcomings in waste treatment and its effects on the environment and public health.
The initiative comes amid reports from experts, authorities, and representatives of affected communities, who point to persistent problems in the management of leachate, a substance resulting from the decomposition of solid waste and considered to have a high polluting potential.
Proposal for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry and a working group.
In addition to the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI), the committee also advocated for the creation of a working group to monitor the situation and formulate measures aimed at improving management. The proposal also includes a draft Legislative Recommendation with 14 guidelines, addressing topics such as the protection of water resources, public health, and compliance with environmental legislation.
Representative Renato Machado (PT), vice-president of the committee, stated that the discussion involves issues that directly impact the population.
“We are dealing with a precarious public health service that affects fishermen and the entire population. We are saddened to hear experts say that nothing has improved in 20 years. We must unite for a discussion that brings results and improvements for the entire population,” he said.
Due diligence and oversight in critical areas
Also during the hearing, the protocol for requesting environmental due diligence in areas where there are allegations of illegal waste disposal was announced. Among the locations mentioned are the former Gramacho landfill in Duque de Caxias, with an inspection scheduled for May 28, and Itaóca Beach in São Gonçalo, with no date yet defined.
The legislator stated that he intends to seek dialogue with the Federal Government to discuss investments in the sector.
“We need to draw the attention of the Federal Government, as investments will be necessary. Today, the State Government is experiencing budget problems because they missed opportunities to invest in treatment at times when they had better conditions, such as during the period when Cedae was sold,” he stated.
Reports of impacts on health and the environment.
The hearing brought together representatives from public agencies and experts, who highlighted the complexity of leachate management. Thaianne Resende, Director of Environmental Quality at the Ministry of the Environment, stated that the issue requires specific attention.
"It's a matter of environmental governance, a highly complex problem. You can't treat leachate like regular sewage, mixing the two services together," he said.
Representatives from fishermen's associations reported impacts on the health of their communities. Professionals from municipalities such as Duque de Caxias, São Gonçalo, and Rio de Janeiro mentioned cases of illness and absences from work.
“Omission claims lives. It’s a daily situation that everyone in the communities is witnessing. We report it on social media, showing videos and photos of the neglect we are experiencing. I was born and raised in Duque de Caxias, I’m a fisherman on the Sarapuí River, and I’m tired of the serious damage to our health,” stated Gilsiney Lopes, president of the Caxias Fishing Association.
Technical assessments and treatment challenges
Experts present emphasized the technical difficulties in treating leachate. Professor Paulo Celso dos Reis Gomes, from the University of Brasília, highlighted that the waste requires specialized treatment.
"It's not possible to treat leachate the same way you treat sewage. Leachate is much more aggressive and more difficult to treat," he pointed out.
The debate also included representatives from institutions such as the Public Prosecutor's Office, Inea, Agenersa, Fiocruz, and universities, who presented analyses of the current situation and the challenges for implementing more effective public policies in the sector.
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