Mayor Eduardo Paes had already demanded oversight of Águas do Rio, responsible for supplying water; neighborhoods in the south and north zones still face disruptions
Rio de Janeiro’s Procon imposed a fine of almost R$14 million on the concessionaire Águas do Rio, responsible for distributing water in the city, due to continuous supply failures. The decision came after persistent problems in some regions, which have faced water shortages since last week. The situation was worsened by the intense heat that hit the city, increasing the thermal sensation and increasing the population’s discomfort. The annual maintenance scheduled by Cedar at Guandu station, the main source of supply for the capital of Rio de Janeiro and the metropolitan region, was followed by repairs by private concessionaires, which have not yet been completed.
During a Lide event, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro had publicly demanded the normalization of the water supply. The complaint was directed to representatives of Águas do Rio, which, ironically, was one of the sponsors of the event. Neighborhoods in the south, such as Botafogo and Flamengo, and in the north, such as Tijuca and Vila Isabel, still face a lack of water. The situation is critical, especially with the high temperatures recorded in the city. Furthermore, the concessionaire could face another million-dollar fine due to a water main leak that resulted in the death of a 79-year-old woman in Rocha Miranda, in the north zone.
*With information from Rodrigo Viga
*Report produced with the help of AI
