Government Begins Cleanup in Rio Marina

(ATR) An underwater containment belt is being installed in the Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro.

The government of Rio de Janeiro and Rio 2016 unveiled the sewage treatment project on Tuesday at Rio 2016 headquarters.

Marina da Gloria serves as the launch point for boats entering the competition area in Guanabara Bay.

An inland underground pipeline will be constructed as well as a sewage pumping station that can treat 450 liters of water per second. The aim of the project is to treat water before it reaches Marina da Gloria and Guanabara Bay.

Construction is expected to last one year and could begin next week according to a report from the Associated Press.

"In the last three years, the competition areas were already of international standard, due to various initiatives that have been developed in Guanabara Bay," Wagner Victer, the president of Rio’s state water and sanitation company, said in a statement provided by Rio 2016.

"The only point lacking was at the area where the boats embark, at Marina da Glória."

Rio’s sailing venue has been criticized for the raw sewage that flows into the bay, despite assurances from the government and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) that the venue meets international requirements.

ISAF head of competition Alastair Fox said at the Aquece Rio test event that "the water quality has met Brazilian standards and international standards."

Last month, the Rio de Janeiro government announced that 50 percent of sewage that reaches Guanabara Bay had been treated, and is on track to reach the goal of 80 percent it set forth when bidding for the Games.

"We are pleased to see these projects happening because Guanabara Bay is one of the picture-postcard sites of the Games," Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman said in a statement.

"All these efforts will create a unique setting for Olympic sailing."

Written by Aaron Bauer

Homepage photo: Rio 2016

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