Target of cleaning up 80% of Guanabara Bay not to be met

Rio de Janeiro Secretary of Environment André Corrêa has ruled out the possibility of meeting the target of reducing 80% of sewage disposal on Guanabara Bay ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games: “It's not going to happen,” he said, adding, however, that this does not mean water quality where the sailing games are to be held will be bellow appropriate levels. “Regardless of whether the 80% target will be met, [the venues on Guanabara Bay] are located where water quality is at its best.”

The target had been set as part of a bid document for the Olympic Games in Rio and was a pledge made by state and municipal officials with the International Olympic Committee. Corrêa said he does not know whether or not the Committee has been informed of the infeasibility of the task.

He stated he will meet with representatives from other government departments after Carnival to check all the data and ascertain what has been done so far so a new target can be established.

His main concern regarding the Olympics, he says, is floating garbage, and not the sewage dumped into the bay. According to the secretary, the eco-barriers will undergo changes so that the garbage flow coming from the rivers can be reduced, as well as the expenditures with the eco-boats.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira