The project has a team of professionals that has been developing, since 2009, work aimed at preserving water in the Ribeirão Ipanema Environmental Protection Area (APA), in addition to identifying the epidemiological picture of the parasites, which are transmitted through food. , water and direct contact with the feet on the ground. The project has a partnership with the State Public Ministry, the Faculty of Medicine of Ipatinga, Instituto Interagir, professors from Unileste and the Department of Environment of the City Hall. The purpose of the Project is, in its mission, to measure the water issue, analysis of the water of two sub-basins, evaluation of microbiological parameters and also a study of framing the use of the basin.
In 2014, the project was reformulated and started to have a physical-chemical assessment of the water. Another focus that differed from the previous project was the parasitological assessment, that is, diseases caused by contact with contaminated water. However, two rural communities were strategically chosen: Ipaneminha and Pedra Branca. Each one has its sub-basin and its very distinct hydrographic concept.
The APA Ipanema Expedition has a period of two years, given that the research ended in 2017. A total of 400 stool tests were performed. The project is monitored on a quarterly basis and the funds come from the Public Ministry and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG).