a landmark project, The Projeto Mutirão (Effort Project), was developed in 1981 by the Secretaria Municipal de Desenvolvimento Social - smds (Municipal Social Development department) rising from sanitation problems and insufficient water supply.

this philosophically innovative program addressed local issues by hiring local residents as workers in the urbanization works, managing to create employment, local pride, and improved infrastructures all at the same time.

The SMDS provided material for sanitation works, along with the necessary human and material resources, technical and social assistance, raising direct community involvement and ensure the quality of services.