“LÍNGUAS NEGRAS”: THE LEGAL AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS TO THE ILEGAL DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE INTO STORM DRAINS IN MACEIÓ, ALAGOAS

Abstract

 This article analyzed the formation of “black tongues” along the coast, resulting from the improper disposal of trash and human waste on public roads, as well as from unauthorized connections to the storm drain system, from a legal and socio-environmental perspective. The objective was to focus the research on the case of Maceió, seeking to understand how the State is enforcing legal provisions aimed at maintaining the quality of these waters and providing legal protection against civil and institutional negligence, in addition to analyzing beachgoers’ perceptions of the impacts of these formations on the swimmability of Maceió’s urban beaches. An applied methodology of an exploratory and bibliographic nature was adopted, complemented by a questionnaire to collect empirical data from the local population. The relevance of the study lay in highlighting that, despite the existence of regulatory frameworks, there is a significant gap in the effectiveness of public policies aimed at managing water resources and basic sanitation in the region. The results demonstrate challenges in enforcement, the application of environmental legislation, and public awareness of the health and environmental risks involved.