A plot of land measuring 88,300 square metres in Praia do Futuro, Fortaleza, has been formally ceded by the Federal Government of Brazil for the development of a mega seawater desalination plant by Cagece (Companhia de Água e Esgoto do Ceará). The project represents a total investment of R$ 3.2 billion and will have the capacity to produce 86.4 million litres of potable water per day, enough to supply up to 2 million residents across the Fortaleza Metropolitan Region.
The desalination facility, known as Dessal, is a cornerstone infrastructure project designed to strengthen long-term water security in Ceará, particularly in response to recurring droughts and rising urban demand. Once operational, the plant is expected to play a critical role in ensuring a reliable and climate-resilient water supply for the region.
On 12 December 2025, the Official Gazette of the Union published the decree formalizing the free transfer of the coastal land parcel to Cagece. The site, located in a strategic coastal area of Praia do Futuro and valued at R$ 31.2 million, has been permanently allocated for the exclusive purpose of implementing the seawater desalination project that will serve the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza.
The Dessal project is scheduled to be completed and begin supplying water by 2025, marking a major milestone in Ceará’s water infrastructure development and reinforcing the state’s commitment to sustainable water management and public resilience.