Procon Carioca, an agency linked to the Special Secretariat for Citizenship, fined the concessionaire Águas do Rio R$2 (thirteen million, six hundred and eleven thousand, nine hundred reais) this Monday (12/13.611.900), due to failures in the water supply in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The problem has been occurring since last Tuesday (26/11), when maintenance was carried out on the Guandu System.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, Procon Carioca notified the company to investigate an infraction provided for in the Consumer Protection Code (CDC), since, despite the completion of maintenance on the Guandu System, the need for repairs resulted in more than five days without water supply in the city, surprising several consumers with the lack of water.
After being notified, Águas do Rio did not present a defense within the 48-hour period determined by the Municipal Institute for Consumer Protection and Defense. And since several neighborhoods are still without water supply, according to a statement posted on the supplier's website, without even a forecast for the reestablishment of the service, the damage was configured and the company was fined.
– The shortage situation has affected the lives of citizens and the operation of schools, universities, hospitals, government agencies and companies. This is an essential service. Therefore, the supplier should mitigate the risk of interruption of supply in every possible way and, thus, avoid the inconvenience caused by the loss of service. The lack of prior information, at a time when the city is facing extremely high temperatures, only intensified the problem even further – explained the executive director of Procon Carioca, Renata Ruback.
The institute also highlights that, even given the need for maintenance, it cannot be considered reasonable that the supply is not yet normalized.
Agency notifies companies distributing water by tanker trucks
Procon Carioca has also notified eight companies to clarify to the municipal institute, within 48 hours, the prices charged for the sale of water in tanker trucks. The objective is to verify and prevent abusive price increases, at a time when the city is facing problems with its water supply. If a violation of the Consumer Protection Code is found, the companies may be fined. The agency asks that consumers who identify this type of practice report it to Procon Carioca.
Procon Carioca service channels:
Portal: proconcarioca.prefeitura.rio
Central 1746
Instagram @proconcariocaoficial
Facebook /Twitter: @proconcarioca
