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Established in July 2023, the Center for Extension and Research in Water and Effluents (portuguese CEPAE) is committed to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, two pillars that unite to positively transform the region within the area of influence of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) - Lagoa do Sino campus.
We are a group dedicated to the triad of teaching, research, and extension, driven by a clear mission: to promote socio-environmental improvements through the restoration and development of fields related to sanitation and the environment. Among these fields, we highlight the treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents, as well as water treatment for supply, among others.
At CEPAE, we believe that science and innovation are powerful tools for building a more sustainable future. Join us in exploring the solutions and advancements we are developing to contribute to the quality of life and environmental preservation in our community.
teaching, Research and Extension AREAS
Drinking Water Supply
🚿 Water Distribution
🚰 Water Treatment
Water Pollution Control
🚾 Sewage Collection
♻️ Domestic and Industrial Sewage Treatment
Air Pollution Control
♨️ Treatment of Gaseous Effluents
PROJECTS
ONGOING PROJECTS 🕜
WATER ACCESS SOLUTIONS AND THE PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS WELL-BEING IN THE PARATY MIRIM INDIGENOUS LAND
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples formalized the Decentralized Execution Agreement (TED) No. 56/2025, under Process No. 15000.002004/2025-66, to support a university extension project aimed at developing solutions for improved water access and the promotion of Indigenous well-being in the Paraty Mirim Indigenous Land. The agreement is linked to Programmatic Action 20UF.0001 – Land Regularization, Protection, and Management of Indigenous Territories, with implementation from December 26, 2025, to December 26, 2026, and was signed on December 23, 2025.
WATER AND WELL-BEING IN THE JARAGUÁ AND TENONDÉ PORÃ INDIGENOUS LANDS, SÃO PAULO
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), in partnership with the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), established a Decentralized Execution Agreement (TED) to improve living conditions in Guarani Indigenous villages. The initiative, based on institutional cooperation and university extension activities, aims to strengthen access to essential services and support infrastructure solutions that promote Indigenous well-being. In this context, CEPAE/UFSCar works directly within Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), focused on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all, through technical and extension actions aimed at improving water supply and sanitation in Indigenous territories in coordination with public policies and community needs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Environmental education is essential for developing awareness and commitment to sustainability. This project, developed in partnership with municipal schools in Angatuba, promotes environmental awareness among primary school students, addressing topics such as natural resource conservation, waste management, and sustainable daily practices. Activities include workshops, hands-on experiments, and community actions, encouraging active learning and student engagement in environmental preservation. The project aims to foster a culture of socio-environmental responsibility from an early age, contributing to a more sustainable future for the local community.
COMPLETED PROJECTS ✅
LOW-COST ALTERNATIVES FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND WATER REUSE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF SOUTHWEST SÃO PAULO
This extension project addresses inadequate sanitation conditions in Indigenous, traditional, and quilombola communities, highlighting gaps in effective public policies. The main objective is to implement low-cost, sustainable technologies for water and wastewater treatment tailored to vulnerable populations. The project is developed in three stages: adaptation to local conditions, community training, and implementation in a pilot Indigenous village, with potential for replication across other communities in the region.
SANITARY INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIGENOUS, TRADITIONAL, AND FAMILY FARMING COMMUNITIES: ALTERNATIVE WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT TECHNIQUES
This extension project aims to address poor sanitation conditions in Indigenous, traditional, and quilombola communities in Brazil, reflecting the lack of effective public policies in this area. The proposal focuses on implementing low-cost, sustainable technologies for water and wastewater treatment to meet the needs of vulnerable populations. It is structured in three phases: adaptation of technologies to local conditions, training and capacity building, and implementation in a pilot Indigenous community, with potential benefits for other communities in the Lagoa do Sino region.
ALTERNATIVE LOW-COST SOLUTIONS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND WATER REUSE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF SOUTHWEST SÃO PAULO
Inadequate wastewater treatment in rural Brazil poses serious public health and environmental challenges, requiring sustainable and accessible solutions. In collaboration with EMBRAPA, UFSCar has developed a partnership to address sanitation challenges in rural areas within the Lagoa do Sino campus region. The initiative focuses on implementing low-cost, sustainable sanitation technologies such as biodigester septic tanks (with reusable effluent potential) and constructed wetlands. This collaboration represents a joint commitment to environmentally responsible practices, aiming to improve sanitation, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance quality of life in rural communities.
"BEBEDOUROS" PROJECT: LAGOA DO SINO CAMPUS (UFSCar)
This project focuses on monitoring water quality on the campus to ensure the well-being of the academic community. It involves physicochemical and biological analyses to verify compliance with legal drinking water standards, ensuring safe and high-quality water for campus users.
PUBLICATIONS
For publications, please see: Publicações.
The English version is under construction.
COORDINATORS
Professor Beatriz Gonzalez holds both a Master's and a Doctoral degree in Hydraulic Engineering and Sanitation from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has completed postdoctoral training at the University of São Paulo (USP), the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), as well as a teaching licensure (Licentiate) in Chemistry. Her research focuses on water and wastewater treatment. Her main contributions lie in the development of microsensors and their applications in water and wastewater treatment systems. She is affiliated with several professional and technical organizations, where she contributes to sanitation working groups. Her teaching and technical activities are primarily focused on water and wastewater treatment technologies.
Professor Jorge Pantoja completed postdoctoral training at the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA) and holds a Master’s and a Doctoral degree in Hydraulic Engineering and Sanitation from the University of São Paulo (USP). During his doctoral studies, he participated in a short-term academic mobility program supported by Santander Universities (TOP USA), with academic experience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Northeastern University, and Brown University. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). He pursued undergraduate studies in Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computing at the University of São Paulo (USP) and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business Management at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). He has engaged with the MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research contributions include the development of the Aerobic–Anoxic Fixed-Bed Reactor and the co-development of the Ordered Anaerobic Fixed-Bed Reactor. He is affiliated with several national and international organizations, and other environmental and governance institutions. His teaching activities focus on applied hydraulics in sanitation systems.
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