Management of public water and sewage services by municipalities in Goiás, GO, Brasil

Abstract The characteristics of services provided and the regulations governing their cost both contribute to the satisfaction of the consumer. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the quality of public water and sewage services in 21 municipalities of Goiás, to include billing procedures and consumer satisfaction, and taking into account whether or not the operations were regulated. To accomplish this, we conducted on-site visits to complete questionnaires relating to our interviews with managers to obtain technical information and with consumers to determine their level of satisfaction. It was observed that systems are managed by local authorities in ten municipalities, four by city hall departments or appointed officials, and seven did not have any specific regulatory oversight. Seven municipalities had no water treatment; of those, six had no specific regulatory oversight, revealing the lack of a planned management system. In 57.1% of the municipalities, there was no sewage treatment and sewage was dumped in soak pits. These had no governing body, and the price-charging adjustments were established in three ways: i) approval of the project by the Town Hall councilors; ii) decree by the mayor; and iii) analysis by the Municipal Sanitation Council (CMS). The satisfaction of the consumers was related to economic, cultural and, especially, political factors, and the existence of a management system improved infrastructure conditions.