Treating Water,
Retreating To Water

Overview
Waking up ocean-side in Bertioga, everyone heads to a showroom facility, built to advertise an "ecovillage" that is located in the city. A video is shown highlighting the environmental initiatives being undertaken in the community. After perusing the facility, the group gets to see another reality of the community, the sewage treatment plant. The system at the treatment plant is explained and contrasted with a typical treatment plant in the United States. In a Brazilian sewage treatment facility, much land is used, but very little energy, whereas in the United States, facilities are fairly small and contained, but very energy intensive. After a morning of tours, the students enjoyed a free day on the glorious Brazilian beach, soaking in sun and relaxing.