Canal under construction turns into improvised spa in Terra Firme, in Belém An improvised "beach" on the banks of the Tucunduba Canal, in Belém, went viral on social media. Nearby residents are taking advantage of the high tide period and an area currently under construction to use the urban canal as a bathhouse, installing parasols and even a sofa in the area. Despite the atmosphere of relaxation and fun, the warning is about the dangers of contact with polluted water. The improvised area is on the border between the neighborhoods of Terra Firme and Guamá. The canal is undergoing a requalification project coordinated by the State Secretariat for Public Works (Seop). Recently, the stretch was subjected to a dredging process, which removed sediments from the bottom and widened it. It was this intervention that opened the space on the banks now used by visitors. ? Follow the g1 Pará channel on WhatsApp Residents improvise bathing in a sewage canal in Belém. Reproduction / TV Liberal The initiative began unpretentiously to alleviate the intense heat. "It's very hot, they took down our trees, right? I decided to take a shower, I put my umbrella there. Then my daughter, my grandchildren, the neighbors came," reported a resident. The bath was filmed from the window of a neighboring property and, after the video was shared on the internet, the repercussion was immediate and attracted dozens of people. For older residents, the practice is nothing new. Marcos, who has lived in the area since the 1990s, says that bathing in the canal is part of the local routine. "We've always bathed here, no one has ever been contaminated by anything," he says, considering that bathers only enter the water at the peak of high tide. However, the change in the city's profile over the last few decades has drastically altered the sanitary conditions there. Another resident reports that he used to visit the canal 15 or 20 years ago, but now prefers to just watch due to the waste carried from the city center. "Nowadays I don't have the courage because I know there's a lot of dirt coming in when the tide goes out," he says. Contamination risks Health experts warn that bathing in urban canals poses serious risks due to the high pollution load. Water from canals of this type contains domestic waste, industrial effluents, untreated sewage and animal urine. Direct contact with contaminated canal water can cause: Infectious diseases: bacterial, viral and fungal transmissions; Dermatological problems: serious skin irritations, such as allergic and contact dermatitis; Gastrointestinal infections: mainly caused by accidental ingestion of polluted water. Symptoms such as intense redness of the skin, persistent itching, fever and diarrhea are considered warning signs of infection that require immediate medical attention. Heat and lack of options In addition to the search for fun, the occupation of Tucunduba exposes Belém's historical problems, such as the lack of trees and public leisure spaces in peripheral neighborhoods. With the execution of the rehabilitation works, the vegetation that was on the banks of the canal was completely removed, which considerably increased the thermal sensation in the region. Without financial resources to travel or take day trips to beaches and resorts far from the capital, the local population sees the canal as the only alternative to cool off. "It's one of the options that the population has to publicize the neglect and draw the attention of public bodies to see if this work goes ahead and if we have a dignified life, which we deserve", says one of the residents. The lack of infrastructure is also reflected in the irregular disposal of garbage along the canal and the presence of loose animals. A horse was seen feeding in garbage containers close to the bathing point, which worsens the sanitary situation in the perimeter. What the authorities say When contacted, the State Secretariat for Public Works (Seop) informed that the urbanization and qualification services for the Tucunduba Canal are still ongoing. The project includes cleaning the land, changing soil, filling and earthmoving, aiming to directly benefit residents of the neighborhoods of Terra Firme, Guamá, Canudos and Marco. Seop highlighted that the work has all the necessary environmental licenses from the municipality. Regarding the felling of vegetation, the agency clarified that an afforestation plan for the area is being drawn up in conjunction with the Belém Environment Secretariat (Semma) to guarantee the replanting of trees on the site.