Water security, drought issues dominate World Water Forum

Debates on water security and measures to mitigate the impacts of drought dominated the 8^th World Water Forum, held in Brasilia this week, a city which is itself facing water restrictions due to persistent low precipitation in central Brazil in recent months.

The event began on March 18 and is due to finish late Friday. So far, a total of 85,000 people from 172 different countries have attended the forum, according to organizers, theWorld Water Council (WWC).

Brazil's federal government has called for more integration between state governments to mitigate the effects of drought across the nation.

"It is very important that we join forces to address this problem in Brazil. Water scarcity and insecurity don't solely affect the northeast. It's essential that efforts structurally move to the federal level for all regions of Brazil," national integration minister Helder Barbalho said during a presentation at the Forum.

Currently, 917 of Brazil's 5,570 cities, across 16 states, are facing emergencies due to water shortages caused by drought.

Previous concentrated in the country's northeast, the lack of rain is now affecting the southeast of Brazil too, including metropolitan areas of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, causing restrictions in water supplies.

PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION

Meanwhile, companies were also welcomed at the Forum. During the event, 18 local and multinational companies signed a document to commit to responsible water management, promoting water efficiency in industries and combating waste.

AEGEA, Ambev, Anglo American, Braskem, BRK Ambiental, Coca-Cola Brasil, CPFL Energia, CPFL Renováveis, Ecolab,Eletrobras, Grupo Boticário, Lorentzen Group, Heineken, Natura, New Steel, Unilever, Vedacit and Vestas signed the commitment.

"Water is the theme that touches all of us, as companies, leaders and citizens. As leaders, we are always thinking about the steps and how to do it. At Coca-Cola we combine efficiency, availability and access," said Henrique Braun, CEO of Coca-Cola Brasil.

Brazil's government also calling for changes in water regulations to attract more private sector investment.

"We're naturally turning our attention to sanitation, where there remains much to be done. We are finalizing a bill aimed at modernizing the regulatory framework for sanitation and promoting new investments, which naturally advance us towards the goal of universalization of this basic service," said Temer, during the ceremony to open the Forum.

REUSE OF WATER

Meanwhile, during the event experts called for more options to encourage reuse of water.

Among the alternatives discussed is the implementation of a policy to reuse more treated wastewater, with the proposal of short-, medium- and long-term goals.

According to Marlos de Souza, of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, the aim is to increase water resources in regions that have shortages by establishing an adequate financing model that promotes sustainable reuse of water.

This will also contribute to small and large projects, mainly for agriculture in small districts and rural areas. "Agriculture is poised for reuse, but are cities. The public needs to be aware that their home produces water," said Souza.