Ice made with Sun
The residents of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve use the sun for much more than just producing ice. In Várzea Alegre (AM), sunrays are used to pump water from the river to a water tank. Before, residents had to go down to the river to get water to wash clothes and dishes, and for bathing. “It was dangerous to go with the kids. One day, a speedboat went by, made a wave and it almost took my niece away” says Lucinete, “besides that, there are also alligators in the river.” Since 2012, water is pumped into a water tank by solar energy and is then pre-treated for consumption, reducing the incidence of diseases transmitted by consumption of unsafe drinking water.
