Impacts of Solid Waste Discharged into Urban Microdrainage: An Approach in Points Susceptible to Flooding In Aracaju/SE

Abstract

Urban drainage is of fundamental importance, but its efficiency may be reduced due to the presence of solid waste in the system. Given this, this study aims to analyse the occurrence of solid waste in water drains on three avenues in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe, by indicating the types of waste, the impact on operation, and the preliminary results of sustainable drains implementation in the city. Initially, a bibliographical research was conducted, and later, on-site visits were made to the avenues Dr. Edélzio Vieira de Melo, Gonçalo Rollemberg Leite, and Dr. Airton Teles. Most of the water drains were obstructed, partially or completely, predominantly by leaves and plastic. Then, the impact of this waste on the devices' efficiency was simulated. The results showed reductions in the swallowing capacity of the water drains from 30.8% to 51.4%. Then, the implementation of 22 sustainable drains out of a total of 70 planned was reported. The results obtained show that the presence of solid waste considerably reduces the system capacity, requiring more frequent cleaning of the elements and greater awareness on the part of the population. Finally, the inefficiency of the urban drainage system does not have a single solution. It involves several actors, from the population, who do not dispose of waste irregularly, to public authorities, who take the necessary and correct actions, and both holding each other accountable.