Brazil's rivers are increasingly polluted, according to SOS Mata Atlântica, a non-governmental organization that tested water quality of many water sources in 12 states, plus the federal district of Brasilia. The study, released earlier this month, evaluated 43 samples collected in 2010. Of those, 70 percent showed moderate levels of contamination, 25 percent were of poor quality and the rest were terrible. SOS used indicators like the presence of fecal bacteria, larvae and worms, garbage and oxygen levels. The samples were also tested for 10 physical-chemical properties.

“The year 2010 was good for Brazil if we consider the high level of consumption and the market, but if we look at the indexes for environmental quality, the result is quite different,” study coordinator Malu Ribeiro told Tierramérica.

“We need to raise society's awareness about conserving water, which is handled carelessly despite being an essential natural resource for life,” she said.