Acesso aos serviços de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário no distrito de Monte Verde, Juiz de Fora - MG: análise da participação social

Abstract

The universalization of sanitation services is one of the principles present in the sector's legal framework, comprised of Laws 11,445/2007 and 14,026/2020. To achieve this, it is necessary to invest in structural and structuring measures, thus providing advancement in the provision of services and resulting in better living conditions for the population. Inequality and deficits in access to sanitation services impact several areas, such as public health, the environment and social development. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that water supply and sanitation are Human Rights recognized by the United Nations, with one of the criteria for fulfilling this right being the availability of these services for the entire population. Historically, there is a great contrast in Brazil between the provision of basic sanitation services for urban and rural areas, with the former being the target of greater investment and attention from public authorities. In rural areas, an essential point for the adequate development of sanitation projects consists of social participation, so that the solutions adopted are sustainable and not abandoned over time. Therefore, the present work aims to carry out an analysis of the water supply and sewage systems in the district of Monte Verde, municipality of Juiz de Fora - MG, with emphasis on community involvement. The methodology used was based on qualitative research techniques, including field visits, in order to collect primary data through direct observation and semi-structured interviews with residents and members of the local water management committee. As a result, it was observed that community involvement, at first, made it possible for residents of Monte Verde to access water in their homes, since the service was not provided by the public authorities. However, the water consumed by residents is considered by them to be unsuitable for consumption, causing people to travel in search of better quality water. As a result, the performance of the Governance Committee was fundamental, achieving positive points such as improving the water quality of the district's school, increasing awareness of health issues and their rights and the search for the recovery of the spring and continuity of construction works drilling of wells by the sanitation company.