As of March 2025, 89 families in Riozinho, along the Juruá River, now have access to clean and safe water thanks to the Mejuruá Project, sponsored by Iamazonia and implemented locally by BR Arbo. This represents the vast majority of households in Riozinho, which for the first time benefit from reliable treated water and sanitation.
Starting in September 2024, installations have been carried out in phases, with solutions adapted to each family’s needs. These include artesian wells with consolidated structures or protected wellheads, household filters, and distribution systems designed to guarantee safe drinking water. In addition, biodigester toilets have been introduced to treat waste on-site and reduce contamination risks. A key element is the separation between clean water, drawn from protected wells, and untreated river water, which continues to be used for washing and other non-potable needs.
The need for such initiatives is clear. Across Brazil, around 33 million people still lack access to clean water, according to the Instituto Trata Brasil. Until recently, families in Riozinho relied exclusively on river water, facing daily health risks and recurring waterborne diseases. Today, contamination has been significantly reduced, and residents are already reporting improvements in health and well-being.
“It’s a very important project because it will help all the residents of the community. Now we have an opportunity we never had in our region,” said Antônio José, a resident of Riozinho.
When treated properly, water becomes the foundation for health, dignity, and development. In places like Riozinho, the difference between untreated river water and clean well water can determine the future of entire families. Each glass of clean water represents a collective step forward, and each household with access is another milestone in reducing illness and preventing pollution.
The installation of safe water systems is part of a wider program of social investments under the Mejuruá Project, worth a planned US$40 million, which also includes electricity, internet connectivity, land regularization, and education initiatives. Together, these measures improve living conditions, create stability, and support forest conservation.
For Iamazonia, the delivery of clean water in Riozinho demonstrates how meeting essential human needs reinforces environmental stewardship. By reducing vulnerability and strengthening families, the project helps people act as guardians of the forest, showing how private sponsorship and open partnerships can deliver concrete benefits for people while protecting critical ecosystems.