There’s a
river that runs through Maceió which is referred to as Salgadinho or “Little Salty.” I of course remember this river from
when I lived in Maceió in 2012. I remember hurrying across the intersection that stretches above the river so I would not get stranded at the red light and
be forced to breathe in the horrible stench until the light turned green again.
Upon returning to Maceió, I’m saddened to report that since 2012, the river has
only gotten more polluted.
Though Salgadinho has not always been like this.
In fact, the river used to be clean, fresh water and the neighborhoods
surrounding it were where the most prosperous folks lived up until the 1980s.
About 15
years ago when Salgadinho was on the
downswing, local Mayor Kátia Born ran on the campaign that she would clean up
the river. In fact, she promised to even
take a swim in the body of water. To me Kátia Born, sounds like a character from
a James Bond film- which gives hope to the idea that she could accomplish superhuman
things- and perhaps others thought so too. In any case enough people voted for
her and even believed that she would stay true to her political promise,
something that Brazilians will tell you is rare or even impossible. However, she
did stay true to her word, or at least some of them. She was unsuccessful in
cleaning the river, but she did take a dip.
Rumor has it
that she went to the doctors and got every type of shot and vaccine she could
prior to her plunge. At that point in time, there were parts of the river that weren’t
as polluted, and that naturally is where she entered, standing waist deep in
the water with news cameras catching every moment of her daring feat.
Despite her best
efforts, Kátia Born did not do enough to reverse the tide of property value
around Salgadinho. The wealthy and
touristic neighborhoods now include Ponta Verde, Pajuçara, and Jatiúca- which
up until the 1980s were nothing but beaches and some scattered houses. Now they
are chock-full of high-rise apartment buildings and about every four blocks
there is one in the process of being built, with fancy pictures on the side of
the construction site, promising to be the most perfect oasis in town.
The beaches
in these towns are beautiful to look at with their emerald green waters and
white sand. On the weekend locals and tourists alike flock to these beaches and
rent chairs, kick up their feet and enjoy cold beer and snacks that hawkers run
up and down the shore selling. While some people swim, it’s common knowledge
that the water is polluted, and therefore many prefer to sit on the sidelines
rather than enter. Of course, the water is not nearly as bad as Salgadinho, but still this has persuaded
many to choose a different weekend destination. The beaches just out of town,
as close as a twenty minute drive away are more popular destinations for those
who wish to swim and surf in pristine water.
It’s
unfortunate to think of the potential and the downfall of Salgadinho. Here’s to hoping that history does not repeat itself. It
may be too late for Salgadinho but there
is still time to reverse the damage and ensure that generations to come can
enjoy the other bodies of water in Maceió. Though, regrettably- as of yet- there
is no plan from the local government to stop the pollution.
Salgadinho in the old days (above) and today (below).
