World Water Forum to Circumvent Brasília Water Shortage

03/19/2018 - 12h00

The World Water Forum - which kicked off its 8th edition and is considered the most important international event to discuss issues such as water shortages, began on Sunday (the 18th) in Brasília without being affected by water rationing that has been taking place in Brazil's capital for over a year.

Up until the 23rd, the city's downtown area - which concentrates most of its hotels, the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center and other areas that will host the event - will most likely not be contemplated by such measures.

Around 40 thousand people are expected to attend the event, including authorities, experts and others who are simply interested in the subject.

Of all the attendees, approximately 13,000 - half of whom are foreigners - are expected to sign up for all 300 debate sessions. The remaining attendees are expected to appear at the exhibition area and attend other free activities.

	Walterson Rosa/FramePhoto/Folhapress
	President Michel Temer during the opening the World Water Forum in Brasilia

The suspension of water rationing measures will enable participants attending the event to discuss issues such as water shortages and lack of sanitation without having to worry about their own access to water, despite the fact that neighboring areas will have to put up with such inconveniences.

Water rationing, which has been applied on a neighborhood basis, has been in effect since January of last year after the local government decided to interrupt access to water in each region for 24 hours every five days.

Currently, at least 2.1 million inhabitants still live in areas that are affected by water rationing, which amounts to approximately 85% of the population of the Federal District.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

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