A viral WhatsApp message, falsely claiming to be from Copasa, the sanitation company of Minas Gerais, has been circulating with a warning for residents to avoid drinking tap water for seven days. The message alleged potential contamination following an incident where a mare fell into a water main. Copasa has officially labeled this information as fake.
The false message, which used an outdated company logo and contained numerous spelling and grammatical errors, advised the population to prefer bottled or boiled water. It also warned of symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain. Copasa's press office confirmed to Fato ou Fake that this is a case of gross misinformation designed to spread unnecessary panic.
The incident that sparked the rumor occurred when a mare stepped on a manhole cover and fell into a water main of the Rio das Velhas System in the Paraíso neighborhood, east of Belo Horizonte. This accident led to a water supply interruption affecting 715 neighborhoods in the capital and seven other cities in the metropolitan region, impacting roughly half the area's population.
Copasa explained that the entire water supply system is interconnected, necessitating a total shutdown as a precautionary measure against possible contamination. The company immediately discarded all the raw water from the affected section of the pipeline. Following the removal of the animal, the pipeline underwent a rigorous process of chemical disinfection and deep cleaning.
Subsequent meticulous laboratory tests confirmed that the water distributed in Belo Horizonte and the metropolitan region meets 100% of the potability standards required by the Ministry of Health. Copasa assures the public that the supplied water is potable and safe for immediate consumption, making boiling or switching to mineral water unnecessary.
The company reiterated that the safety and sanitary security of the population is a non-negotiable commitment. It lamented the circulation of rumors that attempt to discredit the technical work performed and urged citizens to seek information only from official channels and professional press outlets.
Due to the scale of the affected area, the full restoration of water service is being carried out progressively and may extend into the following day for higher or more distant regions. Copasa asks for the public's cooperation in not sharing alarmist messages to help stop the cycle of misinformation.
Based on reporting from g1.