Water supply and sanitation indicators

Here the sanitary indicators per domicile obtained at PNAD-Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (National Research per Sample of Domiciles), 1999, are evaluated, since these indicators help reveal both sanitary risk situations and potential pollution. In the following Figures, the percentage of urban domiciles with indoor plumbing supplied by a water system (Figure 12) are presented by Brazilian state, as well as the percentage of urban domiciles served by a sewerage system (Figure 13).

The lowest percentages of urban domiciles with indoor plumbing served by water systems, are found in the Northern Region of the country, in the states of Acre (43.9%), and Pará (47.7%). The highest percentages are observed in the states of São Paulo (97.8%) and Paraná (96.4%).

The lowest percentages of urban domiciles served by a sewerage system are also found in the Northern Region of the country, in the states of Amapá (0.4%), Roraima(0.4%), and Tocantins (0.8%). Equally, the highest percentages of coverage are observed in the Federal District (89.7%) and in the state of São Paulo(86.6%).

Figure 12 Urban Domiciles in the Brazilian Hydrographic Regions, in 1999, served by Water Supply System and with Indoor Plumbing.

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In general, the hydrographic regions that need most investment in basic sanitation are the ones with the lowest levels of average income and the worst social and health indicators.

With regard to urban sewerage, in recent years there has been a significant evolution in the levels of treatment in Brazil, beginning from very low levels some ten years ago to 20% in 2000 (IBGE, 2000), with the Federal District at 46%, and the states of Bahia, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with over 30% standing out (Figure 14). In spite of the large deficits that exist, the beginning of a process can be seen to reverse the trend towards deterioration of watercourses.

Figure 13 Urban Domiciles in the Brazilian Hydrographic Regions, in 1999, Served by Sewerage Systems

Figure 14 Percentages of Treated Urban Sewage per State (National Sanitation Survey, IBGE, 2000)