Analysis of the universalization, investment and governance of the sewage service of the municipal headquarters of the Easter Watershed (BHL) in Bahia

Abstract

Twenty municipalities have their headquarters in the East Watershed Area and, to a greater or lesser extent, use their water resources, which are important to the cultural and economic development of the region. Urban expansion has intensified the impacts on the environment. This scenario was not accompanied by the improvement of the sanitary sewage infrastructure, culminating in untreated waste being released into rivers and aggravating the water scarcity, which was already common in this region. The sanitary sewage service is a prerequisite for sustainable development and corresponds to a human right supported by broad national legislation. In this sense, it the responsibility of the State and the providers to ensure the organization and efficiency of the sector, guaranteeing equitable, universal and safe access to this service, which is a basic right of citizens. The present study aims to analyze the situation of universalization, investment and governance of the sanitary sewage service of the municipalities headquartered in the East Watershed Area. Therefore, it has a qualitative and quantitative nature, using data taken from the National Basic Sanitation System (SNIS), Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and information requests sent directly to the city halls of those municipalities through the electronic Citizen Information System (e-SIC) and physical mail.