Brazil
Tap water situation
In general, tap water in Brazil is not regarded as safe for drinking due to inconsistent water treatment and contamination issues, particularly outside major urban centers. In cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the water undergoes treatment and may be considered relatively safe, but many locals and travelers opt for bottled or filtered water as a precaution. Water quality can vary significantly between regions due to differences in infrastructure and environmental factors. The national body responsible for regulating water safety is the Brazilian Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde), which implements policies and standards to ensure water quality but faces challenges in uniform compliance across the country.