The High Uruguai region of Santa Catarina has the largest agricultural and livestock production in the state, concentrating activities in pig and poultry farming and milk production. Pig farming stands out in economic importance, present in over 70% of properties. Due to the swine and poultry sector, the region has the largest agro-industrial complex in Brazil.

This basis of local economy, however, is responsible for one of the most serious environmental and public health issues of the Santa Catarina High Uruguai: pollution from swine refuse. This refuse caused the region, with 142 thousand inhabitants, to have a degree of pollution equivalent to that produced by 5.5 million inhabitants. Over 90% of superficial water sources had become inappropriate for human consumption. Surveys showed that some 80% of pig farms were out of line with environmental and sanitary legislation. However, the cost of updating facilities in accordance with the law was so high it would put many farms out of business.

The problems caused by swine refuse were the main reason for the creation of the Lambari Consortium, in 2001, made up from the association of 16 cities, most of which have a population of less than six thousand inhabitants. The Consortium was created with the objective of integrating actions in environmental issues. Three problems were prioritized: open dumps, urban sewers and pig manure.

The cities discontinued the open dumps after the construction of four landfill sites that service all the cities in the Consortium and meet the requirements for environmental licensing. The residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the old open dumps were consulted about new uses for these areas; in the case of the city of Conc