A recent survey reveals a significant decrease in the number of rivers in the Atlantic Forest with good water quality in 2025, highlighting a troubling trend in environmental health. The study, conducted by the Observando os Rios program, underscores the ongoing challenges of water quality management in Brazil, predominantly attributed to inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Despite monitoring 162 locations across 14 states, only 5 rivers were rated as having good water quality, marking a stark decline from the previous year’s figures.

Between January and December 2025, researchers conducted 1,209 analyses on various water bodies, revealing that a majority of sampled sites fell short of acceptable quality standards. The report indicates 78.4% of the monitored points were classified as regular, while around 15.4% were deemed poor, highlighting a concerning state of water quality that persists nationally. The continuous lack of improvement in water quality ratings raises alarms among environmentalists and public health advocates about the urgent need for enhanced public policies and local actions to address sanitation issues.

This decline in water quality not only affects biodiversity and the health of ecosystems in the Atlantic Forest but also poses risks to community health in nearby regions reliant on these water sources. The situation presents a critical challenge for Brazilian authorities and local governments, emphasizing the necessity for infrastructure investment and sustainable practices aimed at restoring and preserving this vital bioma. Without decisive action, the trend may continue, exacerbating existing environmental and social problems around water accessibility.