Poor water conditions in Rio accurate or overblown?

[Diamond_Hawk]

As many of you may have seen in an earlier, I am contemplating a honeymoon to several places, one of which is Rio de Janiero. Today I saw this article:

http://www.businessinsider.com/rio-olympics-water-pollution-photos-2015-7

Do you think this concern is overblown or is this an accurate representation of the water conditions in and around the city?

 

[Lady_Disdain]

It represents the situation in some parts of the city. The Guanabara Bay area they mention is near the harbour and near some large favelas, with no treatment. Part of the problem is that the Olympic events requires still water, which happens in the sheltered and populated areas. These areas are near the harbour (obviously a source of industrial pollution) and some favela areas with no infrastructure (garbage, sewage, etc). The swimming beaches are the oceanic beaches along the South part of the city: Ipanema, Leblon, Barra, etc. This area doesn't have a problem with industrial pollution and much better infrastructure.

A conditions report is published daily for all the main points. I haven't found any site in English but I am sure you can understande red flag/green flag This is the most complete but not updated quite as frequently (click on "Boletim Atual": http://www.inea.rj.gov.br/Portal/MegaDropDown/Monitoramento/Qualidadedaagua/Praias/BalneabilidadeporMunicpio/RiodeJaneiro/ZonaSuldoMRJ/index.htm&lang=#/%C3%9AltimoBoletimDivulgado

Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are all fine except for the area where Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon opens out to sea (which is pretty much expected).

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

Thank you so much for the info - it is a huge help.