Residents and business owners around Carnival block hotspots in São Paulo are frustrated with the lack of adequate sanitation facilities, turning streets into open bathrooms.
Residents and business owners in São Paulo's neighborhoods with Carnival blocks have expressed their dissatisfaction with the insufficient sanitation infrastructure provided by the city ahead of the 2026 Carnival. Many areas have turned into open-air restrooms, causing significant discomfort for those who live and work in the vicinity. The complaints highlight a longstanding issue during the Carnival season, where the influx of revelers has exacerbated sanitation woes.
The current administration under Mayor Ricardo Nunes claims to have made substantial improvements to the event's infrastructure this year to enhance the overall experience without compromising the quality of this popular celebration, known for its vibrant atmosphere. They project to provide 16,000 portable toilets throughout the city, potentially increasing that number depending on the actual demand during the festivities. The city, through its municipal tourism company, SPTuris, asserts that the number of sanitation facilities has been carefully calculated for each block to prevent overflowing crowds from overburdening available services.
Regardless of the efforts made by the city, frustrations continue to mount, with examples such as Bianca Perioto encountering human waste in front of her industrial screening business, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by inadequate sanitation measures. This situation raises questions not only about Carnival preparations but also about the city’s overall management of public amenities during large-scale events, emphasizing the need for efficient infrastructure planning to accommodate the celebrations while safeguarding residents' quality of life.
