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BRAZIL IS THE Brazil fifth largest country in the world, measured by area or population, and it’s home to one-eighth of the fresh water on the planet, including the Amazon, the mightiest river in the world.
But Brazil’s most populous region is facing the worst drought it has encountered in a century.
The New York Times reports São Paulo, the largest and richest city in the country, is running out of water.
Water cut-off
Some residents say their water is already cut off for more than half of every day, and the drastic situation is getting worse, igniting protests in the city and surrounding region.
Fears about what life will be like as water becomes more scarce have kicked off protests in and around the city.
In a meeting where someone secretly recorded audio that was leaked to the press, Paulo Massato, the metropolitan director of the São Paulo state-run water utility, said that people might have to flee the city.
There’s not enough water, there won’t be water to bathe, to clean.
So, how did we get here?
Well, massive growth over the 20th century built up a metropolitan area of more than 20 million residents that a leaky water system can’t adequately serve.
There are serious water shortages in the three most populous states in Brazil — São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais.
But São Paulo, both the metropolitan area and the surrounding municipalities, has it the worst so far.
The water supply in the Cantareira system, which provides most of the water for greater Sao Paulo, is at the lowest point it has ever been recorded — below 7% of its capacity.
The drought, combined with the ever-increasing demand for water in a growing city, has been made worse by environmental destruction, climate shifts, and pollution.
Forests and wetlands near the city have been destroyed as it has grown to be one of the largest cities in the world, removing an important source of water.
Deforestation in the Amazon has contributed to the problem too, by removing an important source of humidity in the air.
This has drastically reduced rainfall in Brazil’s southeast, including the three most populous states in the country.
Residents in some areas of São Paulo say they already don’t have water for more than half the day.
Not much has been done to fix broken water systems. Experts say that the best course of action would have been to fix leaky old pipes months or years ago — more than 30% of all the city’s water is lost in leaks or stolen away.
The Tietê and Pinheiros rivers that cross the city are so polluted that the smell alone can make passers-by sick — but they and the sewage pipes that feed into them are still the only water that some have access to, as shown here in this photo from April of 2014.
Water rationing began in surrounding cities months ago, but as problems grow worse that rationing is expected to become even more extreme, fueling anger among residents.
Restaurants, businesses, and families have begun drilling their own wells and hoarding the water they do have in order to stay operational.
State officials have already tapped into two of the three emergency water reserves — they estimate that there is less than two months worth of guaranteed water left.
Officials recently said that they may cut water service in Sao Paulo itself to just two days a week.
Angry protesters say local and national governments have neglected problems for too long.
Officials now say they plan to build new reservoirs, to route water from other parts of the country, and to try and fix parts of broken old systems, but some of those projects could take years to complete.
Meanwhile trucks are delivering drinkable water to some areas, but it would be impossible to serve the whole city that way.
This leads to a dangerous situation that’s bound to only get worse in the near future. Water specialist Marússia Whately told the Times:
“Because of environmental degradation and political cowardice, millions of people in São Paulo are now wondering when the water will run out.”
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Bad planning, mismangagement, and environmental devastation coming back to bite them in the ar$e. Mother nature always exacts a toll.
Whatever people b/s about Irish Water, it’s those things you said Scipio that worry me. And it won’t matter if it’s a private, semi private or a public utility. We have proven time and time again just how inept we are when it comes to self governance.
Corruption and lack of investment over years has caused this, things about to turn ugly in brasil, it’s leaders are involved in a scandal with the national oil company petrobras, millions gone AWOL, expect a new goverment soon.
Journal rumours say all politicians are the same so what are a new government going to do. Tax the rich?
We also have a very valid reason to protest. Water is scarce across the globe. Picture our water in private hands and consider the price that will very possibly be placed upon it – for sale abroad. Then consider how much the cost will be to the citizens of Ireland that will be placed on our resources accordingly. The true looneys in Ireland are happy to support the quango- all out on March 21st.
It’s already happening.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/clare-spring-water-set-for-middle-east-264884.html
So the Brazilian government all sat and watched as their rainforests and wetlands were destroyed, and then a drought happens. They wanted to build one of the biggest cities in the world and forgot to water it….
The more I read the more I am convinced the world is gone mad…
Jenni, this is capitalism in action. The needs of the many do not matter as long as the greed of the few is satisfied.
Exactly what is happening here…capitalism. I’m all for entrepeneurship but not at the expense of a mass population.which is why something as free as water should not be charged extra for.
We didnt give out enough when they garnished our VAT and motor tax…for water filtration and supply…but this government dont seem to see any wrongdoing with charging us another charge. Oh and then say the DoSW will give us back a refund if we sign up.
That by far is the most hideous thing I’ve heard to date. A broke department is going to refund each household €100, after you pay your bill. Oh my oh my…come next September…another debacle about getting your money back.
All i’ll say is best of luck to those that listened to this sham quango…give me back my motor tax and VAT contributions and then I’ll sign up
‘Jenni, this is capitalism in action’ Communism in places like China and Russia having an excellent environmental record.
Theres a difference between Capitilasm and Communist. I’m all for the guy whos trying to make a buck…but not at the expense of a mass population. I’m not going to name names here but we all know whos going to make a euro or two out of our water money..and its damn right wrong. Wrong wrong wrong.
But hey ho…you can disagree with me..thats your right..we’ll see in 2016.
And that is what will happen in Ireland when they privatise and turn our natural resource for the rich.
Did you read the article or just the headline. A lot of factors have conspired here not just your privatisation boogeyman.
If there was no interntion to privatise Irish Water Keelan, why were the vehicles to do so written into the water services act and the T&Cs of Irish Waters signup pack?
Were Jammin my comment has nothing to do with Ireland. I was pointing out the mitigating factors to what is happening to certain parts of Brazil.
They actually have a valid reason to protest.
So charging people three times for their water, with intention to privatise something that falls from the sky isn’t a valid reason to protest?
And if you attempted to assault or falsely imprison a public figurehead in Rio the riot police would pull you to the side of the road and beat you bloody or private bodyguards would shoot you…
Only 3 times today?
So they have the same problems as us, but far worse. So what, are we supposed to be thankful?
Ah, thanks for that, Drew. Really relevant – would you give it a rest for once. “Everything is for the best under this best of all possible governments ” (to paraphrase voltaire)? This is a different discussion.
Drew where in China do you live? Or have you moved back to London yet.
But isn’t this exactly why IW was set up? Massive leaking, under investment, creaking system. We actually NEED a central water body to ensure we get the right investment in out water supply to protect us against what is happening in Brazil.
I know ppl don’t like IW…. but does this not at least show what might happen if we don’t invest in our water provisions?
And I hate the charges as much as the next joe and Jane!
Hi Daryl,
When is the last time you saw a water filtration plant or distribution network fall from the sky? Not common in my area, but if this actually happens the government have serious questions to answer.
Cordially…
Richard, there is no doubt water needs to be treated before we can use it but people shouldn’t have to cough up a fourth time because of consecutive governments failing to invest in our water network
The taxpayers money already invested in IW could have fixed half the leaks that are present on the system, saving massive amounts of water and significantly reducing the treatment costs. IW will cost the state a fortune before it even starts work on upgrading any water systems. IW will be privatised and when it is, it will be just like every other private company on this planet. They will seek to increase their shareholder values by maximising profits. If you think that a private company will operate for the good of the Irish people to ensure that we always have good clean water produced as affordably as possible, then you are either delusional or you are too young to understand the basic principals of capitalism and economics. In a world which is faced with climate change and the very real threat of global water shortages, how would any sane Irish person believe that giving their precious life giving resources away to big corporations for profit would ever be in their interest? Global investment companies and large banks are buying up water supplies around the world because they know that water will become the new gold of the 21st century. Maybe you feel that you will always be wealthy enough in life to afford to pay for water no matter what the charge will be. Perhaps you come from a well off background and are well educated. But consider the long term affect on people who are less well off than you. Also, suppose for the sake or argument, that control of our water was taken over by a US company (this is possible right). Who says they even have to sell it to you? Maybe they can find people with larger pockets than you right? Get the point? We can fix our leaks if we stop funding corrupt politics and crony businesss deals. We are a resource rich nation with an over abundance of rain and we have plenty of talented, educated young people who can fix and rebuild our own water supply, but we should do this ourselves and for the goood of our own people and our own future generations.
@Yvonne Harvey – thanks for the link. That is the end game & that’s why we should do everything possible to resist or the future regarding our water is a very bleak one.
We are not Brazil or anyway like Brazil, more’s the pity in some ways…
Meu País BRASIL, infelizmente esta se afundado cada vez mais com tanta corrupção, enquanto isto, a população planeja ir as rua em 15 de Março, pedir a saída da nossa Presidente, que pirou ainda mais a nossa situação,
Maybe we should send them Irish water :D
Wow, that gillhouley guy is something else, spending his life making snide comments to others.
He’s a wind up merchant Valerie, don’t take it to heart.
That is worth protesting about, as for our bunch of riff raff well they just need some sense beat into them
Ah, so the mask is slipping Gillhouley, you are now advocating brutality against the citizens of this country.
have your say