Five municipalities in Pernambuco's interior risk reopening landfills three years after the state declared the problem eradicated, warned the Pernambuco Court of Accounts (TCE-PE) in May 2026. Inspections conducted in March identified inadequate waste disposal in Riacho das Almas, Cachoeirinha, Ouricuri, Santa Filomena and Trindade. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Com base em denúncias recebidas pelo Tribunal, e em vistorias realizadas em março deste ano, as equipes de fiscalização identificaram o risco de reabertura de locais de descarte inadequado de resíduos sólidos nos municípios de Riacho das Almas, Cachoeirinha, Ouricuri, Santa Filomena e Trindade"
TCE-PE issued precautionary measures ordering immediate suspension of irregular activities in Riacho das Almas, Cachoeirinha and Ouricuri, with deadlines for managers to present environmental recovery plans. The inspection found transfer points operating inadequately, with scavengers present and irregular waste accumulation. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Nas três primeiras cidades, o TCE-PE determinou, por meio de medidas cautelares, a suspensão imediata das atividades irregulares e estabeleceu prazos para a apresentação de um plano de recuperação ambiental pelos gestores responsáveis"
Meanwhile, seven municipalities from the Agreste and Mata Sul Municipal Consortium (COMAGSUL) accumulated debt of R$ 1,766,303.12 with the Altinho Sanitary Landfill through April 2026. Bonito leads the delinquency with R$ 556.8 thousand, followed by Belém de Maria (R$ 486.5 thousand) and Catende (R$ 385.8 thousand). ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Os maiores débitos identificados pelo Tribunal são dos municípios de Bonito, com R$ 556,8 mil em pendências, Belém de Maria, com R$ 486,5 mil, e Catende, com R$ 385,8 mil"
The financial problem worsens because only Cupira among the seven delinquent municipalities has a specific fee to fund solid waste management. The legal deadline for implementing the charge expired in July 2021, according to the new sanitation legal framework. TCE-PE created the Sanitary Landfill Quality Index (IQAS) to monitor landfill operations, classifying quality in five levels. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Das sete cidades analisadas, apenas Cupira informou possuir tarifa específica para custear o serviço. O prazo legal para implantação da cobrança venceu em julho de 2021, conforme previsto no novo marco legal do saneamento básico"
Seven COMAGSUL municipalities owe R$ 1,766,303.12 to Altinho Sanitary Landfill through April 2026
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
TCE-PE used received complaints as basis to initiate inspections
Between 2013-2023, Pernambuco went from 160 municipalities with landfills to zero through MPPE projects
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What is the current situation of the remaining 175 Pernambuco municipalities regarding solid waste management?
Why it's still unknown: The TCE-PE alert focuses on only 12 specific municipalities without presenting a complete state diagnosis
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What are the specific criteria and scores of the Sanitary Landfill Quality Index (IQAS)?
Why it's still unknown: TCE-PE mentions creating the index with five classification levels but does not detail methodology
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Are there predictions of sanctions or state interventions in delinquent municipalities?
Why it's still unknown: Sources report delinquency and risks but do not inform about coercive measures beyond TCE-PE's precautionary ones