Senator aims to combat illegal water extraction, distribution

Brazilian senator Valmir Amaral has submitted a bill that would make it a crime to extract and distribute water without authorization, the senate reported. "Administrative sanctions have been insufficient to restrict this serious practice, therefore making it necessary to criminalize it," said Amaral. The bill calls for four-year prison terms. Haphazard water extraction could result in a reduction/loss of underground water reserves, while the proximity of septic tanks could compromise the quality of the water extracted, he said.