Sanitation in Brazil: from goals to results
National Water and Sanitation Agency of Brazil – ANA
(
Government
)
#SDGAction52067
Description
According to the United Nations (UN Water), Brazil has been selected as one out of three countries, together with Ghana and Singapore, to be recognized for its acceleration of progress towards the achievement of SDG 6 in 2023. This is the result of action taken by Brazil spanning more than two decades to improve water quality and sustainable access to water resources.
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the National Water and Sanitation Agency of Brazil - ANA established series of partnerships focused on technical and financial cooperations. Nowadays, there are several efforts of Brazilian institutions for regulatory harmonization and other initiatives aimed at the universalization of sanitation services proposed by the SDG 6. This includes best practices regarding enforceable policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines that clearly define responsibilities, accountability mechanisms, and resources for planning, execution, and management.
In Brazil, ANA implements the National Water Resources Policy, coordinates the National Water Resources Management System (Singreh) and establishes reference standards to regulate sanitation services, according to new attributes defined by Law no. 14,026 of 2020. SDG 6 indicators are monitored constantly by ANA in partnership with other institutions such as the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
In the specific case of SDG 6, the analysis process of the different databases, methodological discussions with international custodian agencies and the calculation of its 11 indicators has been led by ANA, which also maintains an interinstitutional articulation for monitoring along with partner institutions and their focal points. The results of this broad and complex work have been disseminated and communicated by ANA, nationally and internationally, in the most simplified and accessible way possible, maintaining an interactive panel on SDG 6 and periodically publishing monitoring reports.
Furthermore, this initiative is in line with the Valuing Water Initiative - VWI, for which ANA plans to subscribe.
In relation to the different SDG 6 targets and the situation in Brazil, it is important to mention that the national reference standards for sanitation are also essential to guide full access to drinking water and sanitation services provided for in targets 6.1 and 6.2, not just from the point of view of infrastructure, but mainly ensuring that it is, in fact, universal and fair. Implementation of the instruments of the national water resources policy, regulated by ANA, are fundamental to targets 6.3 and 6.4, which seek to improve water quality, substantially increase efficiency in its sectoral use and ensure sustainability of the water sources and should be a priority theme on the Agency’s regulatory agenda. Target 6.5 of implementing integrated water resources management in Brazil, including through transboundary cooperation, should be guided by the new National Water Resources Plan, PNRH 2022-2040, organized in programs aimed at strengthening Singreh, the implementation of policy instruments, water quality and quantity management and interfaces with other sectoral policies. Success in implementing the Plan must ensure that the progress observed in this target and sub-indicators 6.a and 6.b is maintained. Actions related to target 6.6, to protect and restore ecosystems related to water, supplement, with green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, the previous items that focus on water resources management and the implementation of gray infrastructure. Due to its importance, Singreh must establish its specific field of action with greater certainty in the interface with environmental policy and management, so as not to be restricted to isolated programs and actions.
The most updated information about SDG 6 in Brazil is available at the 2nd edition of the report “SDG6 in Brazil: ANA’s vision of the Indicators”, published in 2022 and available at https://metadados.snirh.gov.br/geonetwork/srv/api/records/c93c5670-f4a7…
Mission of Brazil to the United Nations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs – MRE)
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change – MMA
Trata Brasil Institute
Brazilian Association of Private Concessionaires of Public Water and Sewage Services – ABCON
Federal Prosecution Service in Brazil
United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP
Inter-American Development Bank – IADB
Getúlio Vargas Foundation – FGV
SDGS & Targets
Goal 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
6.1
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.1.1
Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
6.2
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.2.1
Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water
6.3
By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.3.1
Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated
6.3.2
Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
6.4
6.4.1
Change in water-use efficiency over time
6.4.2
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
6.5
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
6.5.1
Degree of integrated water resources management
6.5.2
Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation
6.6
6.6.1
Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time
6.a
6.a.1
Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan
6.b
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
6.b.1
Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
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Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
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Action Network
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Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Region
- Latin America and the Caribbean
Other beneficiaries
Brazilian population.
More information
Countries
Contact Information
Gisela, Special Advisor for Foreign Affairs