Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games was further strengthened today with the inauguration of one of the city’s key environmental projects. State Governor Sérgio Cabral and Wagner Victer, President of local water company CEDAE, celebrated the launch of a new sewage pumping station at Caiçaras. The station forms part of the program to improve the water quality of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, venue for rowing and canoeing competitions should Rio win the right to host the 2016 Games.

The event was attended by Vice Governor Luiz Fernando de Souza Pezão, Márcia Lins, State Secretary for Sport, Tourism and Leisure and Fábio Starling, Institutional Relations Manager of Rio 2016.
Sérgio Cabral stressed the important of revitalizing the Lagoa ahead of the Rio 2016 Games. “The Lagoa will provide a stunning backdrop for the Games and also provides a unique setting for outdoor activities throughout the year. This new pumping station will benefit local residents and visitors in Rio for generations to come,” he said.

Half a million reais have been invested in the pumping station, which will service over 60,000 residents in the districts of Ipanema and Leblon. The facility will pump 300 liters of waste water per second. “This project confirms the city’s commitment to continuously improving its natural assets and providing sustainable solutions for our residents,” said Wagner Victer.

Fábio Starling reiterated the importance of such a development for the city’s bid to host the Games as a clear sign of the government’s commitment to the city’s environmental conditions and constant improvement. “The State government and CEDAE are committed to Rio’s campaign and know the environment is a key area of interest to the International Olympic Committee,” he said.