Photograph: Legacy of the Waters – Votorantim Reserve, by Jésus Tadeu Lopes
It's 2018. However, the last available report on losses in water distribution dates back to 2015 (the 2016 report is still being prepared, according to the SNIS website – National Sanitation Information System). To give you an idea, at the time of the report, Amapá was the leader in losses. 74.98% of the collected water was lost during distribution. In other words, ¾ of the water that should have reached the consumer was lost along the way.
The second place on the podium for waste went to the state of Maranhão. 62.2% of the water collected in 2015 was lost during distribution. In other words, out of 100 liters, only 37.8 liters of water reached the homes of Maranhão residents that year. Between the South and Southeast regions, Rio de Janeiro is the state with the lowest loss rate, 31.2%. Despite being smaller, Rio is not in the best position in the picture. In total, Brazil lost 36.7% of the water collected. But that was in 2015. And today? We are not sure.
However, we know that the whole world suffers from the problem of waste due to failures in the water supply process (distribution networks). Here, leaks (real losses) are associated with the lack of water meters, measurement errors and the old and bad Brazilian way; illegal connections and water theft (apparent losses), according to a report published by Trata Brasil in 2014. Empirically, we know that very little has changed since then.
As a simple basis for comparison, Tokyo, Japan, loses 2% (no, it's not 20% and I didn't type it wrong, just 2%). All of Japan doesn't reach 5%... Ok, if someone thinks it's unfair to compare with a country that's the size of Mato Grosso do Sul... The United States loses, on average, 13%. Okay, it's not worth comparing with the first world. China; 22%, Russia; 23%.
Meanwhile… Piaçabuçu, in Alagoas, in 2017, watched the São Francisco River being taken over by the sea; the water in the taps, which used to be fresh, became saltier. The capital of São Paulo stopped seeing water running through the taps countless times due to frequent rationing, with the most alarming scenario between 2014 and 2016. The federal capital went through a similar situation in 2015 and 2016. In fact, right now, as I write this text, Brasília is going through yet another water crisis.
Certainly, all these losses and scenarios of scarce rainfall bring several negative impacts. Still, the question arises: how does the country that holds almost 20% of the world's available freshwater deal with thirst scenarios? The data above can help answer this, but there is more.
Since it has been proven that the forest is a water pump, we either protect and plant more forests or there will be no tears, because we will be dehydrated... since the UN predicts that 2.7 billion human beings will be without (direct access to) drinking water by 2025 - and that is only eight years away. In the last fifty years, the world population has tripled and water consumption has increased sixfold. Currently, one billion human beings already suffer from this problem and, here, 34 million Brazilians are already without access to drinking water.
Today, with the water sources that supply large cities having collapsed, state water supply agencies are seeking alternative sources. However, seeking water from other municipalities is not always the best solution. It is important to remember that the alternatives for the capitals are the only options for those in the interior. And in the medium/long term, the tendency is for these sources to also run out – especially if waste and losses persist. In other words, if no action is taken to control and conserve these sources, and we do not take more responsible action regarding water use, the water supply system will collapse for the entire chain.
The most interesting thing is that the alternative areas, from which thousands of cubic meters of water are extracted, far from urban centers, are precisely in areas that have protected forests. But, in the meantime and even so, water-producing forests, such as the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest itself, continue to be under pressure from deforestation.
We already know that our large water tank is at risk. But what will change the scenario?
This story has already been told, but it is always good to remember… (interestingly) in the 19th century, it is said that 173 years ago, Dom Pedro II started the country’s first replanting project (!), precisely because Rio de Janeiro was thirsty. Yes, we really haven’t learned anything. Not only does Brazil continue to deforest, but restoration and reforestation projects have not been able to be effectively implemented on a large scale. In September 2016, Brazil even ratified the country’s contribution to the Paris Agreement, which foresees the restoration of 12 million hectares by 2030. The focus of the agreement is a contribution to the climate issue, but this solution can fundamentally contribute to the conservation of water resources. We are waiting.
We also know that agriculture is the sector that consumes the most water. So how will we feed nine billion people by 2050? How will our country feed the population where food production competes directly with water distribution and, in addition to waste, has a deficit of permanent protection areas (APP) and legal reserves (RL)? These two protection models are necessary to maintain water in these lands, making them productive.
To make matters worse, another UN figure: developing countries, including Brazil, will increase their water use by up to 200% in 25 years. In other words, there is no point in waiting for long-term government action. 2030 will arrive in 12 years. Our problem is now and even the 12 million hectares recovered will not eliminate the
loss of 36.7% of water in the supply (and not even the cats).
The World Water Forum has an important role to play in engaging the nation. Raising awareness among the population about the sources of water resources is urgent. Either Brazilians take responsibility for the responsible use of water resources or we will continue to pay dearly – in our pockets and in our health. The responsibility does not lie with just one sector. There is no point in demanding that your neighbor turn off the tap to brush his teeth and continue to water his plants in the rain.
Even so, more than ever, business activities must focus on responsible water use, but also on assessing their dependence on this resource. It is imperative that the production sector pay attention to the sources of water it consumes, in addition to understanding future availability scenarios. And this is not limited to large companies. If we are going to have rampant scarcity, how will it be possible to “compete” for this resource with the thousands of citizens who will not have access to water, or who already do not have it? The social license to operate will certainly be at stake.
If we have almost 20% of the planet's water, the truth is that there is no shortage of water in Brazil. It is we, as a society, who are not knowing how to use it. We need to stop wasting forests, water and time.
