Topic: Ensuring Access to Potable Water
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Christine Ross
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Brazil position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
All across the vast nation of Brazil, citizens and officials alike have been striving towards ensuring that every one of Brazil’s 206 million residents has access to safe, potable water. Twelve percent of the world’s freshwater supply is located within the country’s borders, but not everyone has access to safe drinking water. Unsafe drinking water can be found all over Brazil, especially in the urban slums known as Favelas and in rural areas. It is estimated that roughly twenty million or one-third of the rural population has no access to potable water. Brazil would like to improve the unfortunate situation to and ensure that everyone has complete access to potable water across the entire nation.
The lack of appropriate infrastructure and proper funding for water treatment facilities in rural regions play a very large role in this severe problem. The shortage of wastewater treatment facilities means that pollutants are discharged directly into the water or processed in unregulated septic tanks. This practice poses serious consequences for water quality, and consequently, for the well-being of the entire rural population in Brazil. In addition, the financing of this business is based on crossed tariffs and subsidies. However, the tariff structure proves to be incapable of generating more efficient, sustainable services. Both homeland and international services are calling for an increase in potable water in Brazil’s poor, rural areas.
Brazil’s urban population also suffers from limited access to potable water, especially in the overcrowded Favelas. Favela’s are densely populated slums built on the outskirts of Brazil’s major cities such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Inhabitants often build their own sanitation services and/or they connect themselves to the city’s drinkable water organization. 96% of the urban population has access to potable water, but only 88% of the favela population has access to it.
Brazil believes ratifications to the existing infrastructure in both rural and urban areas will help to achieve the goal of potable water for everyone. We want and need to help all of our citizens obtain clean and safe water. Brazil looks forward to receiving and giving aid to countries in need during this conference.
