Access to water and sanitation in promoting human development

Abstract

The discussion about the provision of water and sanitation services is of paramount importance to understand the multidimensional character of Brazilian inequalities. These services have a direct connection with the population's quality of life and well-being. By being recognized as a human right, there is a clearer intersection with the social spheres. In this article, through descriptive and exploratory research, and qualitative analysis of available data on water and sanitation, we sought to understand the evolution and persistent precariousness in the country, in addition to adding a parallel with the Human Development Index (HDI). In the last two decades there has been an increase in the proportion of Brazilian households with water and sewage services, even though the latter continues to show the greatest deficit, but relevant regional differences continue to be present. Emblematic is the case of the North and Northeast regions: despite having registered progress, it was not enough to reach the levels of more developed regions, such as the Southeast. By crossing the information on the HDI and the indicators of access to these services, it was possible to improve the description of inequalities in the quality of life and identify which Brazilian states need to improve water and sewage supply indicators, in order to improve the population's well-being.