Urban stream syndrome at the hydrographic network in Recife city, Brazil

Abstract

This paper describes the urban stream syndrome at Recife, a coastal city in northeast Brazil.  The term ‘‘urban stream syndrome’’ describe ecological degradation of streams in urban environments. Recife city comprises a low flat plain surrounded by small hills, with a hydrographic network formed by three main rivers and almost a hundred streams, some of them severely degraded. The accelerated population growth has generated disorderly urbanization and has negatively affected the water courses that suffer from problems of water quantity and quality. To carry out a diagnosis and check if the stream is sick, the integrity of the banks, color and smell of the water in the streams, the chemical quality of the water, the presence of organic matter and problems with the fauna were analyzed. Around 25% of the city sewage is not collected, which leads to the pollution of the entire hydrographic network. Most of the streams are eutrophic, with very low levels of dissolved oxygen and only more tolerant species can survive. This condition requires integrated public policies, including selective collection, efficient treatment, and regular monitoring. The situation in the study area underscores the urgency of coordinated action among governments, civil society, and watershed committees.