Have you ever stopped to think that, while we discuss artificial intelligence and space exploration, around 33 million Brazilians still lack the basics, which is access to treated water? Although it seems like a problem from the last century, this is undoubtedly the most urgent challenge of our decade.
Brazil is recognized as a global water powerhouse. However, we live with an alarming paradox: we have abundant water, but we lack the necessary infrastructure to deliver it to our taps in a dignified manner. This scenario becomes even more critical when we consider that, as a result, our rivers end up being transformed into waste dumps, generating a devastating cycle.
In short, "water shortage" is knocking on our door. And the reason is not a lack of rain, but inefficient management that wastes resources and ignores the basic health of almost half the population.
Below, we summarize the most impactful points about the current state of sanitation in the country, based on the most recent data from the sector.
The Invisible Waste: Nearly 40% of Water is Lost Along the Way
An alarming statistic from the 2025 Sanitation Ranking by the Trata Brasil Institute is that the country loses, on average, 38% of all drinking waterThis means that, even before it reaches the taps, More than a third of the resource is wasted. in cases of leaks, measurement errors, or illegal connections.
In fact, controlling water losses is one of the biggest bottlenecks for the efficiency of operators and for guaranteeing water security in the country.
While developed countries maintain loss rates below 10%, Brazil still struggles with outdated infrastructure. In this regard, only Goiânia (GO) presented rates similar to developed countries, with 12,7%, serving as an example for the country.
Assessing the issue of losses is fundamentally important. It's not just a matter of lack of rain or water resources; it's an efficiency crisis. In a scenario of global water crisis, where 2,2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe water, leaving almost 40% of the water to be lost along the way. It's a luxury Brazil can no longer afford.
The Abyss of Basic Sanitation Between "Two Brazils"
The numbers from the Sanitation Ranking have been revealing a brutal geographical inequality each year. While the top 20 cities in the Ranking provide water to practically everyone, the bottom 20 provide this service to between 80% and 35% of the population.
In terms of sewage treatment, the distance is an ocean. Forty municipalities have already reached the goal of at least 90% of the population having access to sanitation, including the capitals of Goiás, São Paulo, Paraná, Minas Gerais, Roraima, and Rio Grande do Sul. Conversely, there are cities that don't even serve 10% of the population, such as Porto Velho/RO with 9,27%, and Macapá/AP with 7,78%.
This disparity is directly reflected in investment. According to the National Basic Sanitation Information System (SINISA), the cities in the "Top 20" invest, on average, R$ 176,39 per inhabitant, while the cities at the bottom invest only R$ 78,40 (SINISA, base year 2023).
"Basic" Sanitation Costs a Lot (But the Return is Greater)
Currently, only 55% of the Brazilian population has access to sewage collectionConsequently, the remaining debris is dumped directly into nature, polluting water sources and soil.
To meet the goals of the New Legal Framework for Sanitation (Law 14.026/2020) and universalize services by 2033, Brazil needs massive investment. Additionally, it is estimated that the investment needed to universalize these services by 2033 will be around R$ 890 billion. Although the amount may seem daunting at first glance, the "cost of inertia" is demonstrably much higher. Sanitation is the foundation for public health, education, and productivity. Without it, the country spends more on hospitalizations due to waterborne diseases and sees its workforce hampered by precarious living conditions.
The Sanitation Framework Goal for 2033: a race against the clock to do the basics.
The objective is clear: to ensure that 99% of the population has access to potable water. e 90% have sewage collection and treatment. Over the next eight years, the New Legal Framework has brought about a paradigm shift by requiring sanitation companies to demonstrate their economic and financial capacity and encouraging private investment through auctions and concessions.
Since the Framework was approved, there has been significant progress, with several auctions held. However, the pace of investment still needs to accelerate so that the goal does not become just a promise on paper.
What lays ahead?
Ultimately, basic sanitation is not just a matter of engineering or infrastructure; it is human dignity translated into treatment plants. The gap between the "Two Brazils" is narrowing, however, the speed of this change depends on constant pressure from society and efficient public management.
After all, if sanitation is the investment with the greatest social and economic return for a country, why do we still treat the "basics" as if it were the last priority on the list?
FAMAC Solutions: Cutting-Edge Technology for the Complete Sanitation Cycle
To transform the sanitation landscape in Brazil, it is necessary to have technology that supports critical operations, from intake to final treatment. FAMAC offers a robust portfolio that meets all stages. From FN and FNA centrifugal pumps, PA/FPA split-case pumps, and FMG/FMX multi-stage pumps, essential for the efficiency of treatment plants and distribution networks, to a complete family of submersible pumps. Highlighting the FBS-NG and FBS-NG-JAC lines, our solutions guarantee maximum durability and protection against clogging in wastewater. Whether for large volumes or high pressures, FAMAC delivers the robustness needed to raise the standard of the national water infrastructure.
Do you want to bring more efficiency and safety to your sanitation project?👉 Click here to see our full range of FAMAC submersible pumps and specialized solutions.
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