Awareness generates a wave of water conservation.
Concerned about the water crisis, the government of President Dilma Rousseff, which until now had focused on financial support for the most affected states, is planning an institutional campaign to encourage the rational use of water. This awareness effort, initiated by Sabesp (São Paulo's water and sewage company), with TV campaigns, bonuses for those who save water, and fines for "wasteful" water users, as Governor Geraldo Alckmin calls them, has spread initiatives like that of Corinthians, who took to the field yesterday with the following banner: "Score a great goal!!! #savewater Together we will achieve this victory." According to Sabesp, the bonus program generated savings of almost 100 billion liters of water, more than half of the Guarapiranga System when full.
247 - An awareness campaign initiated by Sabesp (São Paulo's water and sewage company) in response to the worsening water crisis has multiplied and generated a wave of water conservation across various points in the states most affected by the problem. Business owners, residents, public figures—many have joined the task force to reduce consumption of this resource, which is now more valued in these regions than it was years ago.
Concerned about the crisis, the government of President Dilma Rousseff, which until now has focused on offering financial support to state governments, is planning an institutional campaign to encourage the rational use of water. The idea will still be discussed between the Secretariat of Social Communication and the Ministry of the Environment, but the message will also aim to explain the responsibilities of the federal and state governments in managing the problem and to separate the water crisis from the energy crisis.
Yesterday, a surprising scene unfolded: Corinthians players entered the field with a banner that read: "Score a great goal!!! #savewater Together we will achieve this victory." Another initiative came from the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte, where the crisis is also present, called on Christians to preserve water and defend nature, with actions that encourage the conservation of this resource.
According to data released this week by Sabesp, the application of the bonus to consumers' bills in February of last year – a discount for those who consume less – generated savings of almost 100 billion liters of water by January. This volume is equivalent to more than half of the Guarapiranga System at full capacity or approximately one-tenth of the entire Cantareira System. According to the company, the savings were achieved with the support of 78% of its customers.
Of the total, 53% reduced consumption by more than 20% (30% bonus range), 13% saved but did not reach the bonus, 7% reduced usage between 15% and 20% (20% bonus range), and 5% had water consumption between 10% and 15% lower and earned a 10% bonus. The calculation for the purpose of comparing the bill is based on the average consumption of the 12 months from February 2013 to January 2014.