Access and quality of provision of sanitation services in a coastal city of the state of São Paulo: study of a neighborhood's perception in the city of Guarujá

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perception of the inhabitants of the Santa Rosa neighborhood (Guarujá-SP) on the provision of basic sanitation services and to identify demands and priorities for improving these services. Methodology: To identify the demands, structured questionnaires were applied in groupings of blocks, defined based on the social development index, in order to consider the socio-environmental complexity of the neighborhood. The results were spatialized to assess possible differences in perception between the different neighborhoods that make up the study area. Relevance: Basic sanitation is an essential human right, and the universalization of these services is one of the great contemporary challenges, due to its complexity. Despite the universalization and quality of services being of interest to various social actors, the policies adopted do not always reflect the needs of society. Results: A high degree of heterogeneity was observed in the perception in terms of service provision and quality in the neighborhood. Water supply is the only service assessed as adequate; on the other hand, drainage and sanitation are the ones that most require improvements, while waste management has a very different perception compared to the available data. These results reveal the importance of social participation in all stages of basic sanitation management. Incorporating participation results in policies that reflect and address the real demands of the population. Management contributions: Priority areas for investments and improvements were identified to improve services and the quality of life of the local population. The results can also contribute to the updating of municipal plans and/or regulations.