Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, one of Rio’s most beautiful locations and planned venue for rowing and flat-water canoe/kayak competitions of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has never been so clean.

According to the State Environment Institute (INEA), the water quality has improved by 92% since 2006 and is now nearly up to standards required for recreational swimming.

The cleaning of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is one of the environmental pledges made by the Rio 2016 Bid Committee as part of its plans to host the Games.

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is regularly used by rowers, canoeists, wake-boarders and yachting enthusiasts. Moreover, the lake’s surrounding area is frequently used by cyclists and runners. This large scale project has included the cleaning of drains and upgrading of eight sewage lifts around the shoreline.

In May, Governor Sergio Cabral and representatives of Rio 2016 attended the inauguration of the Caiçaras sewage lift, a project worth half a million reais which will benefit 60 thousand people in the neighborhoods of Ipanema and Leblon.

"Sanitation is an important component of Rio’s plans for the 2016 Games. Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is one of the most beautiful areas in Brazil and, we hope, will be one of the most scenic competition settings in Olympic and Paralympic history," said Cabral.

The sustainability and environment program of the Rio 2016 bid is focused on four proposals: water conservation, renewable energy, carbon-neutral Games and waste management and social responsibility.

Although the selection of Host City will only take place on October 2nd 2009, the cleaning of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas and several other projects are already underway across Rio.

In January, the State water and sewage company (Cedae) opened the Alegria water treatment plant in Caju, the most important part of the Guanabara Bay clean-up program as well as the location planned for sailing competitions. The plant has the capacity to treat 2,500 gallons of sewage per second, benefiting 1.25 million people in 19 districts of the city.

On 5 June, the Barra da Tijuca sewage treatment plant will also become operational in the principal Games Zone that is planned to welcome the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, the Press Center and 19 sports competitions should Rio be chosen to host the 2016 Games.

"These projects demonstrate the strong commitment of government and Cedae. We have a comprehensive plan that will establish new standards for urban renovation and for the integration of sustainable events and environmental repair," said Carlos Arthur Nuzman, President of the Rio 2016 bid committee.