Sewerage Services Research Articles

Influencing Factors for Sanitary Sewage in Brazilian Municipalities

The objective of this work is to identify the main influential factors for the attendance of sanitary sewage in Brazilian municipalities, through a survey and quantitative analysis of secondary data. The justification is to contribute to a more systemic and integrated view of sanitary sewage services in the country and their potential causes linked to the context of infrastructure in the country. The conceptual framework pre-establishes relationships between total sanitary sewage care and independent variables related to the availability of sustainable inputs/technologies, nature and quality of institutions, human competences, financing, socio-environmental governance and sanitary administration. The methodology adopted is quantitative research, with random and stratified sampling of municipalities, applying correlation analysis and multivariate regression. The results of the research point to a positive correlation between the total sanitary sewage service and variables associated with the physical governmental structure and human relations existing in the health area. On the other hand, they identify a negative correlation with legislation aimed at the ecological, economic and social zoning of the localities, which may indicate that this legal-institutional framework is not being properly integrated into the planning and implementation of sanitation infrastructures and, thus, guaranteeing, in fact, better living and housing conditions for the populations.

The influence of regulation on preference for utility infrastructure investment to generate income for Australian water corporations

ABSTRACT Effects of price regulation and preference for utility supply infrastructure on Australian urban water utilities and urban water markets are examinated using historical data, models of the future and a case study of Greater Sydney. Australian regulators utilise the building block method based on operating and capital costs, and a Regulatory Asset Base to set nominal revenue requirements and ultimately prices for water utility services. Regulation of water utilities that is dependent on a Regulatory Asset Base drives preference for utility infrastructure and is remote from market mechanisms of consumer demands for water and sewage services. These regulatory processes are not linked to the operation of the urban water market of government owned utility and distributed solutions, and act to crowd out viable complementary solutions including water efficiency, distributed water sources and alternative pricing models. Government regulation, ownership and operation of utilities may produce strong performance from the perspective of urban water corporations but decrease economic efficiency, resilience and social welfare in urban water markets. The role of major water corporations needs to be redefined in a market recognising multiple complementary water sources and services. Regulation of utility services should have regard to the entire market, market demand, environmental health and consumer welfare.

The Value of Piped Water and Sewers: Evidence from 19th Century Chicago

Abstract We estimate the impact of piped water and sewers on property values in late 19th century Chicago. The cost of sewer construction depends sensitively on imperceptible variation in elevation, and such variation delays water and sewer service to part of the city. This delay provides quasi-random variation for causal estimates. We extrapolate ate estimates from our natural experiment to the area treated with water and sewer service during 1874-1880 using a new estimator. Water and sewer access increases property values by a factor of about 2.8. This suggests that benefits are large relative to: the value of the value of averted mortality, many other infrastructure projects, and construction costs.

Informal settlements in Colombia: A look at the city of Tunja (2010-2022)

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of informal settlements in Tunja, Colombia, from 2010 to 2022. It examines the historical, social, and economic factors that contribute to these settlements, using various data sources, including development and territorial planning plans, the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute, and local government records. The study highlights significant inequalities in access to public services between urban and rural areas, exacerbated by environmental hazards from nearby mines, landfills, and sewage treatment plants. The research employs a descriptive and explanatory approach, detailing the historical context and theoretical frameworks related to agglomeration economics, territorial inequality, and urbanization processes. A historical-deductive method ensures logical consistency in the analysis of data from 2010 to 2022. The study also utilizes georeferencing techniques to present spatial data on service coverage and demographic characteristics, differentiating urban and rural disparities. Findings show that informal settlements in Tunja are predominantly located on the periphery of the city, with significant disparities in service coverage. While urban areas have over 90% coverage of basic services, rural areas lack adequate infrastructure, particularly sewage, gas, and internet services. The study identifies specific settlements, such as Runta and Pirgua, details their access to services and highlights environmental and structural issues.

Consumer Intention to Pay for Sewerage Services and the Role of Corporate Image as a Mediator

Consumer Intention to Pay for Sewerage Services and the Role of Corporate Image as a Mediator

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF TRADITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES OF WATER PREPARATION OF THE KREMENCHUK RESERVOIR OF THE DNIPRO RIVER TO ENSURE DRINKING NEEDS

An analysis of the efficiency of the surface water treatment systems of the Dnipro reservoirs when their quality is changed to ensure the normative indicators of the quality of drinking water were carried out. The study of the effectiveness of traditional water treatment technologies was carried out by analyzing the results of laboratory studies of source and drinking water at the Dnipro water treatment plant with water intake from the Kremenchuk Reservoir (data from the Svitlovodsk Water and Sewage Services (SWS) of the Regional Municipal Production Enterprise (RMPE) of the Dnipro-Kirovograd), establishing correlations of quality indicators and assessing the state of water resources by the requirements of water legislation. The treatment plants of the Dnipro water supply station are not designed to treat water with a high content of biogenic substances during active phytoplankton vegetation, and under such conditions, increased doses of preliminary chlorination are used. As a result, water is polluted with residual chlorine and organochlorine. An increase in the dose of aluminum-containing coagulants in the corresponding period leads to an increase in the aluminum content in drinking water to the limit of the normative value (0,5 mg/dm3). According to the results of research in drinking water, turbidity was found to be 1,4 higher and permanganate oxidizability 1,3 higher than the standard content; excesses of color, iron, and residual chlorine content were found only sporadically and were on average within the upper limits of normative values. Correlation analysis (Pearson and Spearman correlations methods) of the influence of temperature on the following hydrometric, chemical, and physical factors was carried out: changes in turbidity, color, and changes in the concentration of total iron and ammonia. The analysis confirmed the visual connection of oxygen with temperature and water level and the influence of factors on oxygen concentration. The practical aspects of phytoplankton extraction during water intake from Dnipro reservoirs and water treatment at stations have gained further scientific justification.

Septic tank usage and its faecal sludge management in Cuenca, Ecuador

ABSTRACT On-site sanitation systems such as septic tanks are widely used for treating domestic wastewater in urban and rural areas which lack sewage systems. However, a large portion of these systems do not properly treat human excreta. A main challenge to improve this is the absence of comprehensive data regarding the usage, emptying and maintenance. In this study, records of septic tank desludging frequency during 2009–2022 and the sewerage coverage updated to 2022 were used to investigate their spatial and temporal utilisation, and the persistence of septic tank usage in areas with sewer networks and uncover the current state of Faecal Sludge Management in Cuenca, Ecuador. The spatial behaviour revealed that OSSs are still in use besides the presence of a sewer network. In 2022, there were 109 septic tanks in urban areas with 14.7% in sectors with sewerage service. In rural areas, 469 septic tanks were recorded with 7.8% situated in areas with sewer networks. Although there is no specialised infrastructure in place for the treatment and disposal of faecal sludge, the city has effectively managed it with the existing sanitation facilities. This assessment contributes to the formulation of a secure framework for a safely managed sanitation.

Environmental injustice in the privatization of Brazilian sanitation: an empirical analysis

This study analyzes whether the low rate of universalizing water supply and sanitation services in Brazil is related to the low participation of private companies in the concession of these services in municipalities in the country. To this end, it discusses basic sanitation in Brazil and its current scenario, its problems from the point of view of environmental injustice, and the existing public/private conflicts. The empirical analysis conducted a data survey of eight municipalities defined in four population groups, comparing data from 13 operational, efficiency, quality, and cost indicators of the services provided. Each population group compared two municipalities providing water and sewerage services, one provided by a public company and the other by a private company. The compared data were from 2021, obtained through the Brazilian National Sanitation Information System (SNIS). As a result of the comparative analyses, it was shown that the performance of public companies was more positive for most indicators, compared to private companies. It is concluded that the main challenge to overcome the social and environmental injustice resulting from the deficit in basic sanitation coverage lies in the promotion of public management instruments that enable the articulation of public and private investments in the expansion of basic sanitation services, in the improvement of the quality of services with the inclusion of social control through popular participation.

Economic–Sanitation–Environmental (Dis)Connections in Brazil: A Trans-Scale Perspective From Minas Gerais State and BH Microregion

Brazil’s economic, environmental, and infrastructural landscape is characterised by local and regional inequalities, particularly evident in Minas Gerais state and the municipalities surrounding its capital, Belo Horizonte (BH) microregion. This research examines three primary domains: (a) economic metrics such as GDP per capita, wages, and formal employment; (b) the availability of clean water and sewage systems; and (c) the frequency of emergency decrees. It aims to ascertain whether these factors can delineate economic, health, and socio-environmental divides within the BH microregion and between its urban and rural areas. Economically, a pronounced gap exists between GDP growth and wage stability, underscoring disparities between the BH microregion and the broader state. While the BH microregion boasts higher salaries and GDP, it also grapples with a heightened cost of living. Disparities in water and sewage infrastructure are stark between urban and non-urban locales, with the latter often lacking access. Emergency decrees are correlated with municipal GDP, with lower-GDP areas experiencing more crises, albeit to a lesser extent in the BH microregion. Cluster analysis reveals a nexus between frequent emergencies, lower GDP, and improved access to water and sewage services. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive public policies to foster local well-being and alleviate economic, infrastructural, and environmental disparities within both the state and the BH microregion.

Wastewater Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Minnesota

Wastewater-based epidemiology provides an approach for assessing the prevalence of COVID-19 in a sewer service area. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was measured in 44 wastewater-treatment plants of varying sizes that sampled approximately 67% of the population of Minnesota, from September 2020 through December 2022. Various linear regression models were investigated to predict the weekly case count from SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations under various transformation and normalization methods which we validated via cross-validation averaged across all treatment plants. We find that the relationship between COVID-19 incidence and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater may be treatment plant-specific. We study storage and time-to-analysis for RNA wastewater data and find large effects of storage temperature, indicating that collection methods may have an important effect on the utility and validity of wastewater data for infectious disease monitoring. Our findings are important for any large-scale wastewater surveillance program.

Główne przesłanki rekomunalizacji gospodarki wodociągowo‑kanalizacyjnej na przykładzie Gdańska

Purpose – Identifying key reasons for remunicipalisation in the municipal sphere using the example of water supply and sewage management in Gdańsk and assessment of the nature of this phenomenon against the background of world trends. Research method – Remunicipalisation is a little-known phenomenon, therefore the qualitative method was chosen to analyze the reasons for remunicipalisation – a case study using the example of the company Saur Neptun Gdańsk S.A. The qualitative analysis has been complemented by a quantitative analysis of the economic efficiency of water supply and sewage services. Results – Remunicipalisation in Gdańsk had certain features that match world trends: pragmatic reasons and a mechanism based on the expiration of the contract. In many countries, remunicipalisation resulted from disappointment with privatisation. However, the case study showed that this phenomenon is not the opposite of privatisation and neoliberal reforms but is one of public management strategies. Originality/value/implications/recommendations – Remunicipalisation is a phenomenon rarely discussed in subject literature. Understanding the specifics of remunicipalisation in Poland can make a significant contribution to the debate about its importance in shaping the ways in which local governments implement their tasks.

Seguridad alimentaria en familias de Yurimaguas, Perú: Características y factores asociados

Food security is sufficient access to safe and nutritious foods to satisfy nutritional needs and personal preferences, and to lead a healthy and active life. Objectives. To determine food security in 160 households of human settlement of Yurimaguas district, Loreto department, Perú and factors associated with it. Methods. The selected households had among their members at least one child under 18 years of age and an unmet basic need, which for all of them, did not have the sewage service. In these households, the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) was applied, consisting of 15 items and a sociodemographic and socioeconomic survey. The households were classified as food secure, or mildly, moderately or severely food insecure. Results. Among households, 3.1% were classified as food secure and 96.9% as food insecure (78.8% as mildly insecure, 16.9% as moderately insecure and 1.2% as severely insecure). Food- insecure households had a greater number of minors, mothers with a lower educational level and the daily expenditure in food was lower in comparison with food-secure households. Conclusions. A very high percentage of the households surveyed in the study area were food insecure, although mostly mild. Associated with the number of minors in the home, the mother's education and daily spending on food purchases.

Poluição em riachos em um município de turismo de luxo na Serra da Mantiqueira (Sudeste do Brasil)

Abstract Aim Our aim was to analyze the limnological characteristics of streams located in a luxury tourism municipality in the Serra da Mantiqueira (Southeast Brazil). Methods We analyzed water physical and chemical variables of six sampling sites located in three streams of the Sapucaí-Guaçú River Basin along the urban area of the municipality of Campos do Jordão and one sampling site in the Rio da Prata stream, as a reference location not impacted by urban pollution (São Paulo, Brazil). We measured some physical and chemical variables of the water and analyzed the concentration of nutrients (forms of N and P) in the streams close to the basin's sources (Sites 1, 2 and 3), within and downstream of the urban area (sites 4 and 5), downstream of the municipality's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) (Site 6) and the reference location (Site 7). To find out whether there were differences in limnological variables among the sampling sites we used the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). To order the sampling sites according to the variation in their limnological characteristics we applied a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results Our results showed that sites 1, 2 and 3, although close to the sources, presented limnological changes in relation to the reference location (Site 7) due to urban occupations in their surroundings. The sampling sites 4 and 6 are the most polluted due to urbanization and the discharge of effluents from the WWTP, respectively. The stretch between these two locations (Site 5) proved to be less polluted due to the autodepuration process. Conclusions We concluded that the streams in the Sapucaí-Guaçú River Basin are polluted, although at different levels. The urban area of Campos do Jordão causes pollution of the streams in its surroundings due to surface runoff and the discharge of untreated sewage due to the lack of access to sewage services for a large part of the population. The absence of tertiary treatment at the WWTP leads to pollution of the stream after the release of its effluent.

Indicators for Measuring the Way of Providing the Decentralized Public Service of Water and Sewage

In this article, we have chosen to focus on the water and sewage service, which is a vital, fundamental service for citizens' lives, its malfunction endangering the health of the population and their quality of life. We want to analyze how the local authorities in Suceava managed to provide decentralized water and sewerage services to the population, in a fair, efficient, competent and transparent manner. To be able to measure the efficiency of a public service and the degree to which the services public meet the strategic objectives, the existence of some performance indicators is necessary. Thus, in the article, we propose a series of indicators with the help of which we could measure the provision of the decentralized public service of water and sewage. The indicators for the periodic evaluation of the performance of the public water and sewage services, under the conditions of their decentralization, will provide a series of information necessary to formulate the right strategies regarding this service.

Challenges In Land Title Issuance for Water Assets in The Restructured Water Services Industry

The restructuring of Malaysia’s water services industry, initiated by the Federal Government in 2008, aimed to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework encompassing both water supply and sewerage services. In line with this initiative, Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) undertook the acquisition of water assets from the state, as part of the National Water Services Industry Restructuring Initiative. The acquisition was conducted based on the one-time book value of the state’s water assets, aligned with their corresponding liabilities. However, this common practice faced technical challenges owing to constraints encountered by the land office, leading to unapproved land alienation applications and subsequent delays in the issuance of titles for the acquired water assets. Despite the significance of the matter, the discourse surrounding water assets, particularly concerning land alienation and title issuance, has received insufficient attention in the existing literature. This research seeks to address the challenges faced by the land office in issuing land titles for water assets within the restructured water services industry. Engaging a qualitative mode of inquiry, content document analysis was employed, utilizing the READ approach, to scrutinize pertinent statutes, acts, policies, and procedures of the land office. The study’s outcomes disclose the existence of fifteen (15) challenges spanning diverse aspects such as government policies, administrative procedures, and the pivotal engagement of land office personnel. Conversely, these challenges also pertain to the activities and contributions of applicants and stakeholders, albeit through indirect channels. By identifying these challenges, key stakeholders, especially the land office and PAAB, can better address problematic applications, expedite the process of land ownership for water assets, and significantly contribute to the overall enhancement of the national initiative restructuring Malaysia’s water supply service industry.

THE PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE OPERATORS IN ROMANIA THROUGH THE KEY PERFORMANCE INDEX

Both local communities and the government face a real challenge in measuring and improving the performance of water services. At the local, central, and European level, ensuring the population’s access to drinking water and sewage services is an extremely important objective, supported by the significant investments recently made in this sector. The improved performance of businesses in this sector plays a crucial role in achieving this primary objective. Between 2005 and 2010, as a first step in streamlining the activity in this sector, regional water and wastewater operators were established, providing services for the majority of the Romanian population. Although in theory this should have provided the advantage of an economy of scale, in reality it did not produce the expected results; unfortunately, most of these water and wastewater operators remained inefficient. This inefficiency has technical, economic, financial and organizational aspects, which can be monitored and improved with the help of certain key performance indicators. To guarantee access to water in good conditions and in the long term, it is crucial to improve the efficiency of the sector. The average price of drinking water has increased from 2.75 RON/m3 in 2014 to 5.99 RON/m3 in 2023, which means it has almost doubled. In this context, it is crucial to implement a performance measurement system to improve the efficiency and performance of water services. In this article, the authors identify and analyze the economic, financial and technical indicators that can be used as a basis of comparison for regional operators and can contribute to increasing performance. These indicators are designed in such a way as to eliminate the dysfunctions caused by the differences in size between the regional operators, and by creating a performance index suitable for water utilities, they make possible the adequate comparison of their performances.

Population Growth and Water Consumption: Chachapoyas Case, 2011 - 2021

Objective: The present research aims to evaluate the impact of population growth on the consumption of drinking water in the city of Chachapoyas during the period from 2022 to 2021 and project the trend until the year 2050. Method: The research followed a mixed longitudinal approach of basic study, with a non-experimental design, involving descriptive, explanatory, and correlational analyses. Based on 11 yearly observations (2011-2021), data from the Municipal Company of Drinking Water and Sewerage Services (EMUSAP) were used for a 20-year projection in Chachapoyas. Result: The results showcase Chachapoyas as an oasis amid the scarcity of drinking water. 96% of water consumption is concentrated in households, while 4% is attributed to the commercial and social sector. The 21% increase in water demand poses a challenge due to population growth and reduced water availability at collection centers. It is projected that per capita water consumption will decline to 1m3 per person by 2049. The relationship between population growth and water availability is critical, necessitating efficient resource management to ensure adequate water access in the future. Conclusion: Authorities should focus on implementing a circular economy, wastewater reuse, and improving pipeline distribution, all of which are critical components for sustainable water management in the city of Chachapoyas.

Analysis of the Integrated Basic Sanitation Concession Model Adopted by the Municipality of São Simão, Goiás

Objective: To assess the integrated concession model adopted by São Simão, a municipality in the state of Goiás, which encompasses water supply, sanitary sewage, and urban solid waste management services. Theoretical Framework: Law 14,026 established the year 2033 for the universalization of water supply and sanitation services and the year 2024 for the implementation of environmentally adequate final disposal in Brazilian municipalities (Brasil, 2020a). Due to reduced federal funding for investment, the federal government has sought the involvement of private entities to ensure the capacity for investment, operation, and maintenance of these services. Method: Information about the federal government's strategy was obtained from the websites of the Ministries of Regional Development and Economy and the Caixa Econômica Federal. For the case study of the integrated concession, research was conducted on the reference studies of the modeling and the bidding notice, made publicly available by the municipality on its website. Results and Conclusion: The tariffs obtained in the concession modeling indicate an average commitment of 4.12% of the household income, in line with international benchmarks for expenditure on basic sanitation and consistent with market-practice values. Tariff affordability and the economic-financial feasibility of the project were enhanced by the synergy among the three sanitation sectors. Research implications: The model enables the achievement of the goals set by the new legal framework for sanitation through a standard concession, without any counterpart or additional input from the municipality. Originality/Value: The integrated concession model represents an innovative venture with the potential to boost the economic and financial sustainability of universal access to basic sanitation in the country.

Balance on social inclusion and environmental justice at the end of the 30 years of the drinking water service concession in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico

After three decades since the concession for drinking water and sewerage services was granted to a private company, which eventually became part of the Veolia group in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico, it is necessary to assess the situation. The local government chose not to renew the contract and, furthermore, opted to remunicipalize the system and its management. This document provides an evaluation from the perspective of political ecology, which focuses on two dimensions: social inclusion and environmental justice. The primary outcomes are within the framework of water commodification, where the service operation primarily views users as customers who must pay their fees promptly, while the city’s growth is seen as a business opportunity. The logic of market environmentalism also restricts the exploration of options to secure water resources for the region’s future. Currently, there is a failure to address the substantial overexploitation of groundwater sources that the drinking water service relies upon, which jeopardizes both the population’s fundamental right to water and the city’s sustainability. The case of Aguascalientes, Mexico, is significant because it represents not only the initial foray into private company involvement in providing drinking water services in this country but also stands as the first instance where the contractual term concluded. Consequently, local authorities opted for remunicipalizing the service to be administered by a public organization.

An Evaluation of Sustainable Public Services in Light of Turkstat Data on The 100TH Anniversary of The Turkish Republic

Diversifying the expectations of internal and external stakeholders, as well as increasing consumption, require a management practice that takes into account both the use of current resources and the needs of future generations. This situation has been addressed by the participating countries, which have implemented a number of regulations to support the global implementation of the sustainability vision. Although targets and regulations may be established, the primary actor responsible for implementing and achieving sustainability is public institutions. These institutions serve a large group of people and utilize resources on a large scale. The sustainable service delivery performance of public institutions has a direct impact on the welfare and future of society. Sustainable public service is the process of implementing management practices that effectively and efficiently utilize available resources to meet the needs of both today and tomorrow's generations while preserving those resources for future use. This study examines citizen satisfaction levels as a concrete indicator of public service performance in various service areas between 2003 and 2022, in the context of the 100-year achievements of the Republic of Turkey. TUIK data was used and associated with the UN 2030 Sustainability Goals. Based on the data, it was determined that the highest level of general satisfaction is in public security services, while the lowest is in pavement and sidewalk, education, and greenbelt services. To address low satisfaction, it is urgent to develop innovative, digital, and smart solutions and systems in education, network water, sewer services, waste collection, and mass public transportation. Additionally, developing new policies and practices to increase the number of green spaces and improve satisfaction in health services, which have recently decreased, would be appropriate for sustainable public service delivery and welfare in the second century of the Republic of Turkey.