This article written by AlJazerea and
agencies talks about the water drought that is currently effecting
communities in Brazil. Communities in Sao Paulo, the largest city in
Brazil, is being hit the hardest by the lack of water that the
country is facing. 20 million people are beginning to hoard water
supplies and collect rain water due to a lack of water in the main
reservoir. The rainy season in Brazil is coming to an end and the
reservoir is only at 6 percent capacity. The article states that the
shortage of water is beginning to effect jobs, public health and the
quality of life for Brazilians in this region. Officials in Sao Paulo
are considering cutting off consumer consumption of water, allowing
water usage only two days out of the week if conditions do not
change. This is likely the action to be taken if rains do not pick up
for the remainder of February and March. But in the mean time people
are currently buying water at a rate that is hard for sellers to keep
up with.
Analysis:
The shortage of water in Brazil is
obviously a major issue that is effecting a large number of people.
But is sitting on their hands and waiting for another peak in the
rainy season all that officials there are capable of doing to help
the issue? And is cutting of the consumer's water the best answer if
the rain does not come? The article does not mention any concerns
that the World Health Organization(WHO) may have with issue or if they
intend to aid the country in any way. I think that this is an issue
that the WHO should definitely be involved in due to the negative
public health issues that water shortages cause.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2015/02/brazil-drought-prompts-drastic-measures-save-water-150213154556221.html
2/13/15 10:45pm
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