Evolução do saneamento básico em Montes Claros - MG: uma análise dos serviços de abastecimento de água potável e esgotamento sanitário

Abstract

Water is a natural element, finite and of great importance for the maintenance of life on planet Earth, and most human activities are dependent on this resource, it is not just the scarcity of water resources that hinder life of the population, water contamination by industrial pollutants, agricultural residues and sewage can have negative repercussions for human health and the environment, hence the importance of universal access to basic sanitation services. In this context, the main objective of this work is to analyze the distribution and quality of basic sanitation in the municipality of Montes Claros-MG, between the years 2012 to 2020, through data made available by the National Sanitation Information System (SNIS). Specifically, we sought to understand the legislation about the basic sanitation service in Brazil, in Minas Gerais and Montes Claros; assess whether water management in Montes Claros – MG meets the needs for achieving local water security; and, finally, identify the challenges and propose solutions in local management and planning to address the lack of basic sanitation. For the fulfillment of these purposes, the present research, which is of an exploratory nature in relation to the objectives, with a quantitative and qualitative approach with regard to the problems, has as its data collection base the National Sanitation Information System (SNIS) between the years 2012 to 2020. The research was carried out in two different moments. In its first phase, there was a theoretical discussion about the research object. In the second moment, the data collected through the SNIS are presented and discussed. The results showed that basic sanitation services over the years have been evolving and covering a larger portion of the montes-clarence population, however, challenges still persist in relation to investments and universal access. Therefore, investments, inspection actions and an active approach by the public authorities are necessary to guarantee security in the provision of sanitation services in the urban and rural areas of the municipality of Montes Claros.