WWF survey reveals what Brazilians think about water crisis

Author: WWF
Date Published: 2005-07-28

An impressive 88% of Brazilians believe that the country will face freshwater supply problems in the medium or long run due to the way water is used today.

Among young people, the figure is even higher: 94%. Most Brazilians aged from 16 to 24 years are partly aware of the problems related to freshwater resources and deems it important not to waste any water. Around 73% among them think that domestic consumption  (in their own homes) could be lower than it actually is. Nevertheless, 64% of them spend from 6 to 15 minutes in the shower.

Around 74% of the Brazilian population is in favor of a law setting payment of one or two cents of Reals (local currency) for each thousand liters of freshwater used by those who spend more or those who pollute, as long as the funds be used to raise awareness about the use of freshwater and to recover and protect river basins.

This and much  more on consumption habits and discernment of the water issues were revealed by a survey commissioned via HSBC support to WWF-Brazil's Freshwater Programme, and done by the Brazilian Public Opinion and Statistics Institute (Ibope), one of the most respected independent survey companies in the country. 

The results were announced on March 11 at WWF-Brazil's headquarters, in Brasília (DF), by its CEO Denise Hamú and the Fresh Water Programme Coordinator, Samuel Barrêto.  "This survey is very important, not only to evaluate the Brazilian knowledge on the water issues, but mainly to measure the impact of our programme on the population", Denise Hamú said.

The Ibope polled one thousand people all over the country, aging from 16 on, in all  income ranges and education levels to evaluate the level of knowledge about the problems affecting water resources and their commitment to solve such problems.  The results were also divided by state, region and status of the cities (capital or not), downtown or borough areas. Brazil is the largest Latin American country and the 5th in the world (8,5 million km2).  Its population is of about 160 million people.

The results will guide the actions of the Water for Life, Water for All Campaign, which aims, among other targets, to alert the Brazilian public, governments and the private sector about the significance of conserving and managing the water resources and, at the same time, optimise its multiple uses.

Waste - Among the main problems that may affect water supply in Brazil, waste was pointed out by 44% of the general population, while another 13% said pollution and mismanagement.

Supply - To avoid wasting water, 50% proposed to switch off the tap while brushing their teeth and spending less time in the shower.  In Rio de Janeiro, 25% didn't know what to do to avoid waste; nationally. 12% said the same.

The  poll also showed that the population has a misperception about who is responsible for greatest water consumption: most of the surveyed people (41%) said industry; 34% of respondents said household was the greatest user while 18% said agriculture; in fact the greatest water use is by agriculture at 70%, iundustry at 20% and household, 10%.

River Basin Committees and participation - Although there are 100 river basin committees and over 40 inter-municipal consortia in the country, 70% of Brazilians never heard anything about their existence.  Only 29% heard about them but two thirds of these could not tell what they exist for.  "These are extremely alarming data, due to the fact that the committees - besides not being few - are the means for the communities to participate on the management and  conservation of water resources", said Samuel Barrêto.

And there is interest: 65% of the interviewed persons stated their willingness to "participate in a group to decide about the water use where they live, or to volunteer  to help with for water conservation", and 76% would participate in campaigns for the restoration of water ecosystems and for the responsible use of water.

< Back