Brazil could save nearly US$400mn/y with 100% service

Brazil could save 1.4bn reais (US$363mn) a year if 100% of the population had water and sanitation services.

That is the cost to the country's heath system for treating diseases caused by lack of sewage collection and poor water quality, according to a presentation at the 7th national water summit in São Paulo.

Only about 1,600 of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities have a sewage treatment plant, the presentation showed. There are approximately 100mn people without access to sewage collection and more than 35mn not receiving piped potable water.

Brazil needs to invest an annual average of 15.2bn reais in water supply and sewage treatment to reach the goal of universal sanitation by 2033, the target date in the national basic sanitation plan.

"Since 2013, investments in water and sewage in Brazil have not reached the amount foreseen in the plan to achieve the goal. From 2014 to 2016, investment in the sector fell by an average of 9% a year," Alexandre Lopes, president of the association of private concessionaires of public water and sewage services (Sindcon), which organized the event, was quoted by government news agency Agência Brasil as saying.

"If the situation remains the same, there is no prospect of ensuring the inclusion of Brazilians who do not yet have access to water and sewage services."