A metropolitan-scale project
INEA describes Aqueduto Veiga Britto, also associated in its communications with the name Túnel Lacerda, as part of an approximately 34-kilometer conveyance system connected to Guandu. Much of it runs underground; other structures are visible above ground, revealing the scale of the project among neighborhoods and green spaces.
The official history dates the project's start to 1951, when Rio was looking to expand its water sources. Reservatório dos Macacos began operating in 1958. The second Guandu supply line, Adutora Veiga Britto, opened in 1966; Aqueduto do Catonho, one of the visible sections, opened in 1965. These are separate milestones in a larger project, not one fully visible 34-kilometer aqueduct.
Why it belongs in a nature guide
Pedra Branca protects springs and forest within a sprawling city. The water system reminds us that mountains are not just a backdrop: their watersheds, springs and infrastructure are part of everyday life. INEA's history explains that Realengo and Bangu once relied on the Piraquara River and that urban growth increased the need for new sources.
This story connects engineering and conservation. Water infrastructure can coexist with Atlantic Forest, but these are technical facilities: viewing them from an authorized place does not mean you can walk on them, enter tunnels or approach water equipment.
Names I want to keep distinct
Several similar names appear in the area: Aqueduto do Catonho, the Veiga Britto system or supply line, Túnel Lacerda, Ponte da Cachoeira, Ponte do Governo and the recreational route known as Trecho do Governador/Aqueduto do Piraquara. Institutional documents refer to distinct parts of the system, and local signs or usage may vary. I keep them separate until a source confirms a specific equivalence.
INEA does list Piraquara's Trecho do Governador as a recreational structure; that status should not automatically be applied to Aqueduto do Catonho or the other aqueduct bridges.
What can I do today?
For now, this guide provides historical context and helps distinguish the names. I do not recommend searching for bridges, entering technical areas or planning a visit to these sections without confirming public access. For an officially permitted activity in Piraquara, consult the information about Núcleo Piraquara and its recreational aqueduct; it is a different experience.
Map and hours
Because the system covers a large area and its structures are not necessarily visitor sites, the map below shows only the West Zone as a regional reference. It is not an access route. The park's general hours—Tuesday to Sunday, 8 am–5 pm—apply to visitor sectors identified by INEA; they do not imply public access to every part of the system.
What to combine it with
I would pair this background with an authorized visit to a Pedra Branca State Park sector and time spent observing the forest and watersheds, without approaching operating infrastructure. At Piraquara, the visitor center, waterfall swimming status and recreational route each have separate information.
Sources and updates
INEA · history and structure of the water system → · INEA · Pedra Branca State Park objectives and information →
