Residents of a building in Santos complete nine days without water after contamination by sewage Residents of a building in Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, have been without drinking water for nine days after the water tanks were contaminated by sewage. To g1, a resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the problem continues with no expected solution. Contamination in the Condomínio Edifício Brumar, located on Avenida Presidente Wilson, in the Pompéia neighborhood, began on July 4th. Residents were advised not to use water from the internal network. When contacted, the condominium stated that the contamination was caused by work carried out in the water tank during the previous administration. ? Click here to follow the new g1 Santos channel on WhatsApp. According to the resident, the lack of drinking water has made basic activities, such as bathing and preparing food, difficult. "It's been nine days without drinking water for bathing and cooking," she said. The resident added that she and her husband had diarrhea after coming into contact with the contaminated water. "We got sick. So far no one has said anything, they just said they are waiting for the water report. This is inhumane. Today, for example, we are having to get water from the tap outside the building," he said. Images obtained by g1 show the path taken by residents to a tap installed by Sabesp at the entrance of the building to fetch water (watch at the top of the report). Condominium in Santos has water contaminated by sewage. Personal Archive The condominium administrator sent residents a statement informing them that the Epidemiological Surveillance will carry out a task force for serology tests for hepatitis and leptospirosis, in addition to fecal tests. According to the document, based on the results, vaccines may be made available to residents. Remember the case After being informed about the contamination, a resident stated that more than 20 people showed symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Health Surveillance summoned the condominium and ordered the presentation of a new cleaning and disinfection certificate for the water tanks. In a statement, Sabesp reported that it did not identify any irregularities in the water supply and attributed the contamination to a problem in the building's hydraulic and sanitary installations. Internal communications g1 had access to internal communications sent to residents. In one of the documents, the condominium reported that a specialized technician identified that the building's sewage pipe was deeper than that of neighboring buildings, as it was an older construction. According to the statement, this caused part of the region's sewage to be directed into the condominium system, making drainage difficult. The administration also reported that other water tanks began to show signs of contamination, with a characteristic odor of sewage. A technical inspection identified that the structure where the pumps and water tanks were located was not waterproof. According to the statement, this structural flaw had allowed drinking water to leak for years and, with the sewage backed up, the stored water was contaminated. Among the measures announced were the evaluation of the activation of the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (Cetesb) and the Fire Department, the continuity of negotiations with Sabesp and the technical survey of the structure of the galleries and water tanks to define the necessary works. Guidance not to use water In one of the internal communications, the condominium instructed residents not to use water from the internal network for drinking, cooking, washing food or bathing until the situation was normalized. According to the notice, residents should use mineral water for consumption and personal hygiene. The condominium also reported that it provided a tap at the entrance to the building, supplied by the Sabesp network, so that residents could collect water. Positions According to Sabesp, the contamination is the result of a problem in the building's internal hydraulic and sanitary installations, the maintenance of which is the responsibility of the condominium administration, which received technical guidance during the inspection. Also in a note, the Santos Health Department reported that Health Surveillance was on site on the 6th and summoned the condominium. The body ordered the presentation of a new cleaning and disinfection certificate for the water tank and a report proving the potability of the water, in addition to carrying out repairs to the damaged reservoirs. According to the ministry, the condominium has already started measures to regularize the situation. VIDEOS: g1 in 1 minute Santos