Segurança de Barragens no Brasil: Engenharia de um serviço da sociedade

Over the course of history, dams have captivated the interest of society at large. Used to store large amounts of water, dams are also constructed to control flood waters and generate hydroelectricity. Due to their versatility in use, dams and their respective reservoirs are viewed not only as venues for economic activity, but also as centers for leisure and recreational activities. Given society's dependence on these engineered structures, dams must be well maintained and kept in good operating condition. In order to promote a culture of enhanced dam safety and better risk management, dam owners should be held responsible for implementing safety measures. Equally important in the reduction of possible accidents relating to dam failures, is the enforcement of these safety standards by regulatory agencies in charge of promoting and spreading good practices. The planning and construction of any new water-impounding structure must take into account its multiple potential uses (such as water for human consumption, livestock raising, irrigation, generation of hydropower, and/or recreational activities) as well as the best practices in dam safety to date. It should be noted that the enforcement of dam safety standards is also a crucial requirement for structures built specifically for the containment of mine tailings and industrial waste.