Saneamento: desigualdade no acesso à água e esgoto tratados aumenta no Brasil

Summary

A new report on basic sanitation in Brazil highlights growing inequalities in access to treated water and sewage, with the northern region facing the worst indicators. While the top 20 municipalities treat 80% of sewage, the bottom 20 treat only 18%. Investment disparities are also significant, with the poorest municipalities spending only R$ 55 per capita annually, compared to R$ 166 in the best-performing ones. The country faces challenges in meeting sanitation goals, with millions lacking potable water and proper sewage treatment, which severely impacts public health and contributes to broader social inequalities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The new sanitation report in Brazil highlights growing inequality in access to treated water and sewage services.
• 😀 The northern region of Brazil has the worst indicators for water and sewage access.
• 😀 There is a significant disparity in sewage treatment: the top 20 cities treat 80% of sewage, while the bottom 20 treat only 18%, a 340% difference.
• 😀 Investment levels vary greatly: the poorest cities invest R$55 per capita per year, while the best cities invest R$166.
• 😀 To achieve universal sanitation, an investment of more than R$200 per capita annually is needed.
• 😀 Macapá, the capital of Amapá, ranks last in the sanitation report due to low investment, with a per capita investment of R$44.
• 😀 São José do Rio Preto is the best-performing city, with nearly R$300 invested per capita and achieving top ratings in all sanitation dimensions.
• 😀 The Brazilian sanitation law aims for 99% of the population to have access to water and 90% to sewage treatment by 2033.
• 😀 Currently, 35 million Brazilians still lack access to potable water, and only half of the sewage generated is treated.
• 😀 Brazil’s untreated sewage results in environmental and public health issues, such as 5,500 Olympic-sized pools of waste being dumped into rivers daily.
• 😀 Poor sanitation contributes to health problems, like diarrhea, which affects children's education and future opportunities, exacerbating inequality.

Q & A

What does the new sanitation report in Brazil reveal about inequality in access to treated water and sewage?

The report highlights an increase in inequality in access to treated water and sewage, with the North region of Brazil having the worst indicators.

How significant is the disparity in sewage treatment between the best and worst-ranked municipalities?

There is a 340% difference in sewage treatment, with the 20 best-ranked municipalities treating 80% of sewage, while the 20 worst treat only about 18%.

What factors contribute to the poor sanitation conditions in the worst-performing municipalities?

The poor sanitation conditions are mainly due to a lack of investment in these municipalities, which are mostly located in the northern region of the country.

What is the average investment per capita in the worst-performing municipalities compared to the best-performing ones?

In the worst-performing municipalities, the average investment is R$ 55 per capita per year, while in the best-performing municipalities, it's R$ 166 per capita.

What is the estimated investment required to achieve universal sanitation in Brazil?

To achieve universal sanitation, it is estimated that investments of over R$ 200 per capita per year are necessary.

Why does Macapá occupy the last position in the sanitation ranking?

Macapá occupies the last position due to extremely low investment in sanitation, with the city allocating just around R$ 44 per capita per year.

Which municipality is in the top position in the ranking and why?

São José do Rio Preto, located in São Paulo, is in the top position due to its high investment of nearly R$ 300 per capita per year and its achievement of the highest scores in all sanitation dimensions.

What does the Brazilian Legal Sanitation Framework aim to achieve by 2033?

The framework aims for 99% of Brazilians to have access to potable water and 90% to have sewage collection by 2033.

How many people in Brazil still lack access to potable water?

Currently, 35 million Brazilians still do not have access to potable water.

What environmental and health problems are caused by inadequate sewage treatment in Brazil?

Inadequate sewage treatment leads to the daily discharge of polluted water into rivers, contributing to environmental degradation, public health issues, and worsening social inequality.