Hydrology

This area is split into two main areas: groundwater and surface water. For groundwater, CPRM has a database of water wells and sources from all over Brazil in its groundwater information system and carries out regional hydrogeological surveys of different scales.

The area is also a partner in social projects involving well drilling and the recovery of existing wells in the semi-arid area of the north-east and in the south.

As far as surface waters are concerned, the Geological Survey operates the National Water Agency’s national hydrometeorology network, develops and operates flood alert systems in critical areas like Manaus (Amazon) and the Pantanal, and carries out studies in specific areas. There is currently a huge effort underway to generate the map of water availibility of Brazil 1:1,000,000 having geology and water resources databases as background.