Amid a heatwave, the Rio de Janeiro government announced on Saturday that for the first time since 2007, all beaches in Rio and Niteroi are safe for swimming.
The State Environmental Institute (Inea) confirmed this milestone.
The government credits recent sanitation work and less rainfall for this achievement.
“The latest water quality report reflects new sanitation efforts and recent dry days,” said the government.
On Friday, Inea’s report gave almost all of Rio’s beaches the green light. Only two of Barra da Tijuca’s beach segments didn’t meet the standards.
Only minor sections of São Francisco, Charitas, and Jurujuba beaches fell short in Niteroi.
Inea routinely tests 37 areas in Rio and 29 in Niteroi.
To be safe, a beach must have fewer than 1,000 Most Probable Number (MPN) of thermo-tolerant coliforms per 100 ml in four of the last five tests.
As a result, Botafogo Beach has shown significant improvement.
“The MPN level at one spot on Botafogo beach plummeted from 16,000 to 790 this year,” the state government revealed.
Inea performs water quality tests at 291 points across Rio de Janeiro state. The Metropolitan Region sees bi-weekly material collection for testing.
This development offers new hope for both locals and visitors. It also marks the success of new sanitation initiatives and signals the need for sustained effort.
As weather patterns fluctuate, ongoing tests and projects will be vital. This triumph could serve as a model for regions struggling with water quality.
Background
This milestone is a win for the government and a boon for tourism. Cleaner beaches attract more visitors, boosting local businesses.
Moreover, the results showcase the effectiveness of state policies on sanitation. Yet, it’s essential to remember that this is a single data point.
Continued monitoring is crucial to maintain these results. Meanwhile, other coastal cities can learn valuable lessons from Rio and Niteroi’s success.
Investment in sanitation projects seems to yield tangible benefits. Therefore, similar endeavors in other parts of the country might be well worth the expenditure.