{"id":83211,"date":"2026-04-21T12:05:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=83211"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:06:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:06:56","slug":"new-water-watch-platform-enables-monitoring-and-public-participation-in-health-and-sanitation-in-the-state-of-rio-de-janeiro-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=83211","title":{"rendered":"New ‘Water Watch Platform’ Enables Monitoring and Public Participation in Health and Sanitation in the State of Rio de Janeiro"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Collectives,<\/a>
Collectives, institutions and civil society gathered for the launch of the Water Watch Platform at the National School of Public Health (ENSP\/Fiocruz). Photo: Amanda Baroni<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

During the week marking World Water Day<\/a>, the Water Watch Platform<\/a>* was launched. The tool was created by the Popular Network for Sanitation and Health Monitoring<\/a> of the Brazilian national health foundation’s (Fiocruz<\/a>) Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health (ENSP<\/a>). The ceremony was organized by the Research Group on Health, Environment and Sanitation (SAS Fiocruz<\/a>) in the institution\u2019s auditorium and drew 192 participants, both in person and online.<\/p>\n

All Eyes on Rio’s Water Rights<\/h3>\n

The city of Rio de Janeiro is marked by deep inequalities<\/a>, including in access to water<\/a> and sanitation<\/a>. Following the privatization<\/a> of water and sanitation distribution services in 2021, the concession was transferred to the utility \u00c1guas do Rio<\/a>. Although the company has expanded its coverage across the city since then, residents report worsening<\/a> service, with high rates and continued difficulties accessing water. Data released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) after the 2022 census show that youth, Black, brown and Indigenous people<\/a> are among those most affected by inadequate sanitation, including both lack of access to the public network and limitations within their homes.<\/p>\n

According to Rodrigo Nunes, a researcher with the Water Watch Platform, the problem will escalate due to the impacts of climate change:<\/p>\n

\u201cStudies by the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA) indicate a decline in water bodies nationwide, largely due to fires and deforestation\u2026 In Rio de Janeiro, we are heading into a period of significant difficulty when it comes to water security<\/a>.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

According to data from ANA<\/a>, Brazil\u2019s bodies of water could be reduced by over 40%<\/a> by 2040, affecting water levels in river basins across the North, Northeast, Central-West and parts of the Southeast regions, as a result of climate impacts.<\/p>\n

This reduction represents serious risks to the population: the spread of disease<\/a>, food insecurity<\/a> and a consequent worsening of social problems in already vulnerable areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother study by Trata Brasil<\/a> found that\u2026 [Greater Rio municipalities of] S\u00e3o Gon\u00e7alo, Belford Roxo<\/a>, S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Meriti<\/a> and Duque de Caxias<\/a> [currently have] the worst sanitation levels nationwide, among 100 municipalities analyzed. Anyone arriving in Rio de Janeiro notices the smell of sewage in bodies of water anywhere. Data are essential for policymaking, to bring people closer [to the issue] and to develop the economy. Our state is in complete disarray.\u201d \u2014 Rodrigo Nunes, researcher with the Water Watch Platform<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Panel<\/a>
Panel for the launch of the Water Watch Platform at Fiocruz. Photo: Internet reproduction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Collective Tool to Fight Environmental Racism<\/h3>\n

Inspired by projects such as Coc\u00f4 Zap<\/a>, a sanitation monitoring initiative from the group of 16 favelas that make up Complexo da Mar\u00e9<\/a>, in the city’s North Zone, the Water Watch Platform<\/a>\u2019s primary aim is to promote collective, civil society monitoring, where data production and social participation work together to enable effective pro-sanitation policymaking. Only through collective mobilization<\/a> can these challenges be addressed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Through an environmental sanitation survey, people from vulnerable areas, such as favelas and peripheral neighborhoods, can submit information on the quality and availability of sanitation services in their communities, as well as their perceptions of environmental health, changes observed after the transfer of services to a private provider and the health issues affecting each area. This information is catalogued and made available to the public on the website\u2019s home page, in the data section<\/a>, forming an ongoing overview of the sanitation conditions in these areas.<\/p>\n

These data are also available on the project\u2019s interactive map<\/a>, which cross references data submitted by residents with data collected by official bodies, such as IBGE and the National System of Information on Basic Sanitation (SINISA).<\/p>\n

Users can also submit georeferenced complaints<\/a>, access reports and research made available by the project team, as well as follow related news<\/a>, as explained by Adriana Martins, coordinator of the Popular Sanitation and Health Monitoring Project.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will include a log of complaints, where everyone will be able to see others\u2019 messages. If there is a buildup of water shortage issues in one area, the problem can be referred to the Public Defenders’ Office, which can also access it directly, and a lawmaker can view it as well. It’s a very quick and direct way for citizens to consult complaints. Citizens will also be able to see whether a complaint has been forwarded, archived, is under analysis or has any pending issues.\u201d \u2014 Adriana Martins, coordinator of the Popular Sanitation and Health Monitoring Project<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Different Challenges in Access to Water Create New Layers of Inequality<\/h3>\n

Highlighting conditions in different areas, field researchers pointed to some of the most critical issues faced daily by residents, including numerous adversities caused by difficulty accessing water and sanitation services.<\/p>\n

Ericka Kathellin, a researcher and biomedicine student born and raised in Manguinhos, mapped her community and described how environmental racism<\/a> is embedded in everyday problems.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we asked whether the pipe supplying the home with water was at risk of coming into contact with sewage, 40% of respondents said yes. So people often experience recurring illnesses such as diarrhea and viral infections. They don\u2019t know why\u2014they don\u2019t have the information that it\u2019s because their water is being cross-contaminated with sewage. [In parallel to this] 22% of these people report that their homes flood<\/a>. Recently, at the end of last year, everyone saw what happened in Complexo de Manguinhos<\/a> [in Rio’s North Zone] after the heavy rains. The entire group of favelas flooded<\/a>. I\u2019m 1.5 meters tall (~4ft 11in) and the water rose above that. I was trapped with my daughter [on the street]. What is the government doing? Why does the flooding reach Avenida dos Democr\u00e1ticos [in a region far from the river and paved]? Where are the public works?\u201d \u2014 Ericka Kathellin<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Presentation<\/a>
Presentation by Ericka Kathellin, a researcher born and raised in Manguinhos favela, at the launch of the Water Watch Platform. Photo: Internet reproduction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Petr\u00f3polis<\/a>, a city in the state’s mountain region and part<\/a> of Greater Rio<\/a>, in the Alto da Independ\u00eancia neighborhood, Suelen Sousa shared that local residents, primarily low-income individuals, saw their water bills double overnight. She stated that this abusive increase occurs even though the company is not providing the service it is being paid for, as in addition to the lack of water, there is no public sewage collection in the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in the survey: 91% say there’s no sewage collection, but the utility [\u00c1guas do Imperador<\/a>] is treating us as if there were. [Our] community is also demanding: who was it that put in the piping [in our neighborhood]? We did! Not the utility. And they’re charging us 100%, which is something we need to discuss: what gives them the right to charge up to 100% [on top of the original service cost]? Water bills have doubled… That\u2019s absurd! We need to [question]: why have we normalized this? Legally, companies do this, but it\u2019s an abusive fee, and people in Alto da Independ\u00eancia can\u2019t afford it. They implemented this charge without [providing] proper treatment, without providing the service. And the social tariff<\/a> is not being applied to this area.\u201d \u2014 Suelen Sousa<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Suelen<\/a>
Suelen Sousa highlights the challenges experienced by residents of Alto da Independ\u00eancia, in Petr\u00f3polis. Photo: Internet reproduction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Greater Rio\u2019s Leste Fluminense<\/a> region, to the east of Guanabara Bay, in Complexo do Salgueiro<\/a>, in the city of S\u00e3o Gon\u00e7alo<\/a>, researcher Ana Santos states that 84% of the population do not have running water on a daily basis and regularly have to buy bottled water.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe issue of water is dire in this region. We found that 33% have one or no water access points in their homes, meaning that 88% must store water to ensure water security. Many of them have to buy water tanker trucks or cannot access wells\u2026 We are very pleased that this research has crossed the [Rio-Niter\u00f3i] bridge, because S\u00e3o Gon\u00e7alo needs to be seen, especially Complexo do Salgueiro, which is not easily accessible.\u201d \u2014 Ana Santos<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"In<\/a>
In Complexo do Salgueiro, due to chronic water shortages, residents have to buy bottled water or water tanker trucks, according to researcher Ana Santos. Photo: Internet reproduction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The full list of data available so far can be viewed on the website. In total, 33 municipalities are currently being surveyed.<\/p>\n

View the Launch Event<\/a> of the Water Watch Platform:<\/h3>\n