Challenges in Water Quality Surveillance in Contexts of Territorial Inequality in Bahia, Brazil
1
Bahia State Health Department, Government of the State of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1379
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
The state of Bahia, the fourth most populous in Brazil (14,141,625 inhabitants), has national economic relevance and presents significant age and racial diversity; however, it continues to suffer from historical territorial inequalities that negatively affect the population's quality of life1-2. Approximately 85% of the state's territory is located in the semi-arid region, concentrating populations in contexts of socio-environmental vulnerability characterized by water scarcity, precarious infrastructure, and disparities in access to basic services between rural and urban areas2-3. This study aimed to compare water quality data from supply systems and alternative solutions in rural and urban areas of Bahia, based on analysis of data from the Water Quality Surveillance Information System for Human Consumption (SISAGUA). It was observed that 98.8% of municipalities have SISAGUA implemented. The Water Supply System (WSS) constitutes the main form of access to drinking water, serving 68.16% of the population (9,638,838 inhabitants), predominantly in urban areas, through structured processes of collection, treatment and distribution, facilitating monitoring. Collective Alternative Solutions (CAS) and Individual Alternative Solutions (IAS) serve 1.71% (241,398 inhabitants) and 0.21% (17,620 inhabitants) of the population, respectively. In 2024, 90% of water samples for basic parameter analysis were collected in urban areas, highlighting underrepresentation of rural areas. Regarding microbiological quality, 11.7% of rural samples showed the presence of Escherichia coli, compared to 2.6% of urban samples; in the first half of 2025, the high proportion of non-compliance in rural areas persisted, reaching 13%, while urban areas recorded 1.7%. These results indicate greater exposure of rural populations to health risks associated with water insecurity. Therefore, strengthening water quality surveillance, along with expanding equitable access to drinking water supply systems, is essential in the context of worsening climate change, which intensifies water scarcity and public health risks, requiring integrated policies of adaptation, environmental justice, and protection of public health.
The state of Bahia, the fourth most populous in Brazil (14,141,625 inhabitants), has national economic relevance and presents significant age and racial diversity; however, it continues to suffer from historical territorial inequalities that negatively affect the population's quality of life1-2. Approximately 85% of the state's territory is located in the semi-arid region, concentrating populations in contexts of socio-environmental vulnerability characterized by water scarcity, precarious infrastructure, and disparities in access to basic services between rural and urban areas2-3. This study aimed to compare water quality data from supply systems and alternative solutions in rural and urban areas of Bahia, based on analysis of data from the Water Quality Surveillance Information System for Human Consumption (SISAGUA). It was observed that 98.8% of municipalities have SISAGUA implemented. The Water Supply System (WSS) constitutes the main form of access to drinking water, serving 68.16% of the population (9,638,838 inhabitants), predominantly in urban areas, through structured processes of collection, treatment and distribution, facilitating monitoring. Collective Alternative Solutions (CAS) and Individual Alternative Solutions (IAS) serve 1.71% (241,398 inhabitants) and 0.21% (17,620 inhabitants) of the population, respectively. In 2024, 90% of water samples for basic parameter analysis were collected in urban areas, highlighting underrepresentation of rural areas. Regarding microbiological quality, 11.7% of rural samples showed the presence of Escherichia coli, compared to 2.6% of urban samples; in the first half of 2025, the high proportion of non-compliance in rural areas persisted, reaching 13%, while urban areas recorded 1.7%. These results indicate greater exposure of rural populations to health risks associated with water insecurity. Therefore, strengthening water quality surveillance, along with expanding equitable access to drinking water supply systems, is essential in the context of worsening climate change, which intensifies water scarcity and public health risks, requiring integrated policies of adaptation, environmental justice, and protection of public health.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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