Tainted Water Doesn’t Taint Carnival Celebration In Rio

Fat Tuesday Still A Big Party In Brazil

The Carnival party is now history in Brazil – as well as in several other locations around the world – and in Rio a case of tainted drinking water did little to taint the annual celebration.

A “safe” organism has caused water that is cloudy and smells like clay, causing people to drink only bottled water. The State Company of water and sewage (CEDAE) said a safe organic compound called geosmin” is responsible and it’s not clear where it originated, but heavy rains have been targeted as a possible cause.

Tourists are always advised not to drink from the sink in Rio and now not even filtered water is determined save to drink. Bottled water is coming hard to find and prices are increasing as demand outstrips supply.

There are even some reports that it’s not safe to take a shower in hotels. But those are scattered reports and could be a result of a bit of water panic setting in among residents and visitors.

Still, the celebration continued with parties and parades. Water was hardly the only thing being consumed in Rio and Brazil during Carnival on Fat Tuesday.

It began on Saturday with decorated dancers performing with giant mechanical parrots and tigers in Rio. All over Brazil, people were dancing in the streets and filling up the pubs and clubs, partying as they always do for Carnival and on Fat Tuesday.

Weather-wise, for those hanging around (nursing hangovers), rain is to continue the rest of the week with thunderstorms predicted for the weekend. For Fat Tuesday, temperatures were warm and steamy with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-70s.

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