Cuiabá Mirim · Pantanal · Brazil

Clean water. New life.

Transforming lives through access to drinking water in the heart of the Pantanal. A story connecting generations, people and purpose.

Discover the project
River and vegetation in the PantanalWhere nature inspires care.
Clean water. New life.A future we build together.Pantanal, Brasil
Lorenzo with families from the Cuiabá Mirim communityPeople caring for people.

01 / A story of care

A boy who loved the Pantanal.

Lorenzo grew up in the city, but his connection to his grandfather’s farm, close to a small riverside community, was always his greatest passion.

Seeing the lack of drinking water, Lorenzo adapted the solution created by his grandfather. Luiz Antônio Scheffer joined the initiative, contributing to its organisation, fundraising and technological development.

Meet Lorenzo
01

An invisible challenge

In a region with so much water, riverside families still face contaminated water or water unsuitable for drinking.

02

Caring for others

After seeing the difficulties of finding clean water, Lorenzo set out to find a practical solution for the community.

03

A legacy that changes lives

He revisited the filters created by his grandfather to bring that solution to riverside families.

02 / Our community

Cuiabá Mirim.
This is where change begins.

In the Pantanal of Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso, the community lives with the impact of limited access to treated water. Every family has a story. Every family deserves care.

450people in the community
120families in the community
36%with access to a water filter
63.89%without access to treated water

Cuiabá Mirim community indicators.

See the complete community figures

Challenges reported

Water shortages: 63.89% · Health: 22.22% · Transport: 11.11% · Food: 2.78%.

Health

Good health: 55.56%. Reported health problems: 44.44%.

Livelihoods

Fishing: 47.22% · Bolsa Família: 27.78% · Farm work: 16.67% · Retirement: 8.33%.

Find Cuiabá Mirim on the map

04 / Together, we go further

Partnerships that change lives.

Working together with people and businesses is essential to creating positive social and environmental impact. Committed partners help our initiatives go further.

Original artwork from the past campaign.

Bodytech Goiabeiras

Insulated Bottle Donation Campaign: Water and Sport Transforming Lives

We ran the Insulated Bottle Donation Campaign with Bodytech Goiabeiras, collecting bottles for riverside communities in the Pantanal. As an incentive, for each donation we gave children a football, bringing together access to drinking water and encouragement to play sports.

The collection point at the gym brought many people together, and the delivery was moving. Families received the bottles with gratitude, while children enjoyed playing with the balls, showing how small gestures can transform lives. It was an inspiring experience!

Beyond its immediate impact, the campaign raised awareness of the importance of drinking water and sport in the development of children and young people. Seeing the joy on families’ faces and the children’s enthusiasm strengthened our commitment to solidarity. The experience encouraged us to keep creating initiatives that bring real change to these communities.

Original artwork from the past campaign.

Seara de Luz

Christmas Solidarity: An Act of Kindness and Hope

Águas Pantaneiras believes that solidarity transforms lives. Together with businesses committed to social responsibility, we carry out initiatives that bring greater dignity and joy to Pantanal communities.

One of these initiatives is the distribution of panettone, a special Christmas campaign. With essential support from Seara de Luz, we brought families not only a traditional festive treat, but also human warmth and hope for a better future.

Our partnership with Seara de Luz was essential to extending the reach of this initiative, helping more people experience the magic of Christmas through a simple but powerful act of kindness and sharing.

Be part of this change

How to get involved.

You and your business can help bring clean water and care to Pantanal communities. Choose how you would like to contribute and get in touch to plan the next steps.

Estimated implementation costBRL 188,484.44
From material purchase to assemblyAround 50 days

We are raising funds to implement the system in the community and prepare for expansion. Your business can be part of this next step.

01

Donation campaigns

Bring employees and customers together to donate essential items and support collection drives for the community.

I want to help
02

Financial and logistical support

Contribute funding and logistical support to expand our initiatives. Help purchase water filters, donate construction materials or fund their installation in communities.

I want to help
03

Visibility and engagement

Use your network to give the cause a voice. Share our work with friends, family and colleagues.

I want to help

05 / The water challenge

Water all around.
Care still needed.

The existing artesian well

The project reports high mineral concentrations in water from Cuiabá Mirim’s wells. The presence of iron and manganese prompted the search for a treatment system adapted to the community.

Why not use river water?

According to the project, pollution and sewage reaching the river affect water quality and make it difficult to use for drinking.

Iron and manganese

Excess iron and manganese in the water are a concern for the Cuiabá Mirim community. Their concentration and the effectiveness of treatment need to be assessed through water-quality testing. This overview describes the project’s initiative and does not replace a technical assessment of drinking-water safety.

A sample of water found in the community

OUR SOLUTION

Three stages.
A new beginning.

A three-stage filtration system designed for the realities of the Pantanal. We are working towards formalising its patent.

Illustration of three water tanks connected to an elevated reservoir that supplies homes.
From treatment to distribution: a system designed for the community.
  1. Flocculation and oxidation

    Raw water receives a controlled dose of chlorine. While it rests in the first tank, dissolved iron and manganese react and form solid particles, preparing the water for the next stage.

  2. Multilayer filtration

    The water passes through rounded stones, geotextile fabric, coarse sand, another fabric layer and medium-grain sand. These layers retain particles and sediment.

  3. Storage and distribution

    The third tank stores the filtered water and supplies an elevated tank. From there, water reaches homes by gravity, without continuous pumping.

Accessible materials

Conventional tanks, stones and sand help keep construction costs down.

Simple maintenance

With basic guidance, residents can carry out routine upkeep of the system.

Designed to be replicated

A solution developed for hard-to-reach communities, with the potential to serve other locations.

Discover the first installation

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Water is life, movement and compassion.

Our goal is to fund the installation in Cuiabá Mirim and then expand to more communities. A single system can open up new possibilities.

Help make it happen
Projected daily capacity50,000litres per filtration system
+120families in the planned reach
+800people directly or indirectly in the planned reach

Projected reach of the system’s implementation.

OUR JOURNEY

Care that continues.

  1. First filter

    Installation of the first Águas Pantaneiras system prototype.

    See initiative
  2. First Christmas initiative

    Gifts and food baskets for children and families in the community.

    See initiative
  3. Easter solidarity

    Gifts and toys to celebrate with the children of the Pantanal.

    See initiative
  4. Children’s Day

    A celebration bringing joy, play and fun to the community.

    See initiative
  5. Christmas campaign

    A return to Cuiabá Mirim with gifts, care and time together.

  6. Easter solidarity

    More than chocolate: care, time together and new beginnings alongside families.

STORIES THAT TRAVEL

In the press.

Gazeta Digital · 03.11.2024

Young man’s project brings drinking water to a riverside community in the Pantanal

Read article in Portuguese
Folha do Estado · 03.10.2024

Águas Pantaneiras: Lorenzo Grunwald Guizardi’s mission in riverside communities

Read article in Portuguese

06 / Stories of change

Our initiatives.

All initiatives