Avaliação da oferta de água para o abastecimento público no agreste setentrional de Pernambuco

Abstract

The National Sanitation Information System (SNIS) plays a crucial role in understanding and evaluating the sanitation infrastructure in Brazil, providing essential data for the analysis of management and assessment of water supply. This study aims to identify and evaluate the water supply in the 19 cities of the Agreste Setentrional region of Pernambuco through the integrated analysis of data provided by the SNIS. From January 2013 to December 2022, it was possible to outline a performance overview of water supply indices in the region, focusing on per capita water consumption indicators and supply intermittency. The data collected by the SNIS revealed that all municipalities in the Agreste Setentrional present significant failures in the management of their water supply systems. Among the most concerning indicators is the amount of water available per inhabitant, which in several cities is far below the minimum necessary (100 liters) to meet the basic needs of the population. Cities like Vertentes and Frei Miguelinho, for instance, showed alarming availabilities, with less than 26 liters of water per inhabitant per day, indicating a severe deficiency in the water supply for these localities. Additionally, supply intermittency was also identified as a widespread issue, with several municipalities facing water supply interruptions exceeding 20 consecutive days, severely compromising regular access to water resources. The data analysis also revealed that the region’s water infrastructure is unable to keep pace with population growth and rational water demand. In many of the analyzed municipalities, water supply coverage still does not reach even 60% of the total population, and the irregularity in distribution underscores the urgent need for investments in water infrastructure improvements. Besides highlighting the failures in water supply management, the SNIS proved to be a valuable tool for guiding policymakers in the implementation of public policies and strategic investments. The data provided by the system are essential for policymakers and decision-makers to make more informed decisions and allocate resources more efficiently. From the information revealed by the SNIS, it is possible to plan improvements to the supply system that better meet the population's needs, ensuring more regular and adequate access to water.