The study conducted by the Instituto Trata Brasil reveals that Rio Branco is the least investing city in Brazil regarding basic sanitation, allocating merely R$ 8.99 per inhabitant. This figure is alarming, especially when compared to the recommended minimum investment, which should be 25 times higher to meet basic sanitation standards. The city has dropped to 98th place in the 2026 Sanitation Ranking, only surpassing Porto Velho (RO) and Santarém (PA).

The report emphasizes a decline in Rio Branco's ranking, highlighting the increasing issue of inadequate sanitation investment within the city. Since 2018, when a broader analysis was employed that considered the 20 best and 20 worst cities rather than just the top and bottom 10, Rio Branco found itself among the cities with the lowest sanitation standards. The data used in the report is collected from the National System of Basic Sanitation Information (SINISA) and reflects information from 2024.

This study brings to light the critical negligence towards basic sanitation in Rio Branco, which has significant implications for public health and quality of life in the city. With continued underinvestment in sanitation, the residents may face heightened health risks due to poor sanitary conditions, which could hinder socio-economic progress and quality of living in the area. The findings urge local authorities to prioritize an urgent need for investment in basic sanitation services as a fundamental part of the city's development agenda.