Expert: Sandra - 1/10/2011

Question
Hi Sandra!
Hope you can help.. I'm having trouble writing a report based on exporting water softeners, a home-based water treatment product. I chose Brazil due to the FIFA and Olympics, figured there would be some massive revamp on the living quarters etc.

Water supplies often include minerals and salts that taste bad  and damage pipes. A water softener is an appliance designed to remove minerals from water.

My focus is on more densely populated cities such as Rio and Sao Paulo.

Q. I would just like to know whether there is an actual need for such a product in Brazil, whether home-based water treatment is a necessity or a luxury

Q. Some general information about the water in Brazil, whether people drink directly from the tap etc.

Q. Is the government making any changes to the city with regards to its water in anticipation of the FIFA/Olympics.

Also, any additional information regarding Brazil's plans for its water in the near future would be fantastic.

Thank you so much! Your help is greatly appreciated

Answer
“Q. I would just like to know whether there is an actual need for such a product in Brazil, whether home-based water treatment is a necessity or a luxury”
In my opinion, there is no necessity and no market for this type of device in Brazil. In the US, water softeners are used in areas which have what is referred to as “hard water” (with an excess of minerals). I have not encountered that situation in Brazil. The main problem in much of Brazil is with preventing water borne disease from the source, not with taste or feel of water in the supply.

“Q. Some general information about the water in Brazil, whether people drink directly from the tap etc.”
Tap water quality varies across this vast country, from city to countryside, and from city to city. Filtering is for disease free drinkability, not taste (or feel). Most people simply use a type of clay jar with a filter in it, but how effective this is in providing clean drinking water depends on the source. Many use bottles water for drinking; large bottles are commonly sold, and small bottles (ice cold) are found for sale everywhere. A few richer people may have a filter system on their tap. Hotels and apartment buildings usually have a filter for the entire building.

“Q. Is the government making any changes to the city with regards to its water in anticipation of the FIFA/Olympics.”
LOL. The government is going to be lucky of they are even prepared with the basic sports structures to host the games. Hotels, as mentioned above, are prepared for guests’ water needs.