Cidade sustentável para a água: a sustentabilidade do sistema urbano de abastecimento de água no distrito sede de Macapá-AP

Abstract

In the management interface of water resources to the management of sanitation services and the sustainability of cities, this research has the main focus of analysis as the urban system of water supply in Macapa kept pace with population growth and urbanization of the municipality in terms of a sustainable city. The specific objectives were to map the city of Macapa within the historical context of population growth and urbanization; identify and characterize the urban system of water supply, pointing out the areas served and missed; analyze the sustainability of the urban supply system, considering the environmental, social, economic and institutional aspects, proposing appropriate measures to improve the management of water services, based on sustainable management of the use of water resources. The methodology was based on a case study involving a qualitative approach, using techniques of direct and indirect documentation, as well as intensive and extensive direct observation. The results show that the management of sanitation services in Macapa is not taking place in a planned and integrated manner. The population grew, the city expanded over the past few decades, however, the water supply system has not kept pace with growth, with large deficit of care to the population. In all aspects we analyzed it was found the unsustainability of the system. The Company of Water and Sewage of Amapa has as its main feature a large inefficiency, presenting over the last decade very low levels of coverage of water supply services in addition to high physical and commercial losses, its debt capacity is exhausted. That’s why, it presents difficulties in managing and financing the expansion or modernization of the infrastructure itself, a necessary condition for the improvement of services offered. So there are still significant challenges to be overcome, the goal of universalizing services to the population in search of social justice and protection of natural resources.