Environmental Impacts of Occupation in the Vargem das Flores APA

This study sought to identify the environmental impacts in the Vargem das Flores Environmental Protection Area (APA), located between the municipalities of Contagem and Betim/MG, especially the signs of pollution from sewage in the Várzea das Flores reservoir, an important source of water for the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region. To prepare the work, bibliographical research was carried out on topics related to the importance of water, Brazilian urbanization and its impacts on the environment, the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC) and the municipality of Contagem. Analyses were carried out on data from the Minas Gerais Sanitation Company (COPASA), the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the Contagem City Hall (PMC), the National Sanitation Information System (SNIS), the State Sanitation Information System (SEIS), the Minas Gerais Institute of Water Management (IGAM), among others. An analysis was made of the final destination of sanitary sewage from establishments within the APA and its potential impacts on the reservoir.