Brazil Unlikely to Hit Universal Sanitation Targets with Progress Sluggish

02/17/2016 - 09h03

The percentage increase of Brazilians in urban areas covered by water and sewage networks stalled in 2014, with time running out if the country is to achieve its goal of universal sanitation by 2033.

According to data published on Tuesday by the Ministry of Cities, the percentage of Brazilians in urban areas covered by water networks increased from 93% in 2013 to 93.2% in 2014, while those covered by sewage networks increased from 56.3% to 57.6%.

	Avener Prado/Folhapress
	The percentage of Brazilians in urban areas covered by water networks increased from 93% in 2013 to 93.2% in 2014.

The country's goal is to reach 2023 with universal access to water, with 93% access to sewage networks coming ten years later. However, as Folha has revealed, a survey by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) shows that the country will miss these targets by at least 20 years if reforms continue at the current pace.

Brazil spent R$12.2 billion (US $3 billion) in 2014, up from R$10.5 billion (US $2.6 billion) the previous year. But to reach its targets, the country will have to spend at least R$25 billion (US $6.1 billion) a year.

The national secretary for sanitation, Paulo Ferreira, recognizes these problems. However, he dismisses the idea of a link between the lack of basic sanitation and the current dengue and zika epidemics, both diseases transmitted by mosquitos that breed in still water.

For Ferreira, the government has been acting correctly in combatting the vectors of these diseases, the breeding grounds of which are most often found in the home.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE
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