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Infrastructure service affordability has become a burgeoning concern over the past years due to the recent economic crisis and the growing role of tariffs in funding the services. Pressure on utilities to promote social assistance programs in addition to an efficient service has risen toward providing water as affordable as possible. This study shows the positive impact of efficient services on families' water affordability by analyzing the new Brazilian water loss goals and the potential effect of water loss reduction on total expenses reported in the Brazilian utilities' National Water and Sanitation Information System. The total service cost for water and sanitation (before and after the aforementioned goals) was then translated to average tariff per cubic meter and affordability ratios. The potential water volume saved in physical losses can reach up to 16.6% of the water consumed in the country, and although the impact on water affordability was timid, the positive results indicate utilities have an important role in assuring water and sanitation for all, and regulators must be involved toward taking a deep look at local conditions.

The control of water loss in distribution systems has been highlighted in multiple discussions in the field of water and sanitation. However, there are few scientific studies on this topic that have focussed on loss control performance in developing countries. With the intention to expand the limited scientific framework investigating the management of water losses in economic scarcity scenarios, this paper provides an overview of which practices directed to water loss control are being conducted in a Brazilian region. Data were collected from 42 water utilities and show there is a direct relationship between the utilities' performances and the number of water loss practices adopted. The divergences in the number of practices applied by the water utilities may be influenced by technical–operational, planning and management factors. The paper brings greater robustness to the loss management debates in regions with economic scarcity, being able to support the action of utilities operating in similar scenarios.

Sustainability indicators have become essential tools to deal with compartmentalized resources planning and management in cities. The development of water, energy, and food nexus (WEF nexus) indicators is a prominent goal of current research, but the focus is mainly on economic issues and material flows. Attention to the local scale and context, social aspects, and the inclusion of non-academic actors is mostly lacking. To address these gaps, this paper reports and reflects on the co-creation of sustainability indicators related to the WEF nexus in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. With a transdisciplinary approach, non-academic actors were included in the different stages of the process using the Urban Living Lab methodology, to improve the usability of the produced indicators’ set. The case of São Paulo concerned on-going actions in the peri-urban and rural areas of the city which seek to improve environmental protection by stimulating more sustainable forms of agriculture. Thirty-four indicators were developed through a sequence of interactive activities, such as workshops, meetings, and field trips. The presented process aims to strongly enhance usability by actively involving users from the start, connecting the nexus approach to previous knowledge and familiar frameworks, paying attention to the local scale and context, and to social aspects, and by anticipating future use in various ways.

The University of São Paulo is a public University and the largest in Brazil. It is broadly organized into distinct campuses that are installed in different cities of the state of São Paulo, each one with its specific aspects. There are more than 95 thousand undergraduate and graduate regularly enrolled students, standing out as one of the best universities in Brazil and Latin America [2]. The performance of the University of São Paulo at the “UI GreenMetric World University Ranking” has improved considerably in 2017 (28 th position) on the general ranking. The sustainability management process for USP is carried out considering the strengths each campus presents, but the USP governance process ensures standards and good practices are applied similarly to all areas under the university responsibility. As for example, the recent approval of the USP Environmental Policy, which process engaged the whole USP community, working together to understand the complex context of all campuses, what resulted at the end in very innovative arrangements for researching, teaching and practice for sustainability. Different of the past rankings, data provided for GreenMetric 2017 Ranking contemplated USP as a whole, because it is not possible to assess the university environmental sustainability performance in parts. This approach allowed showing the different enhanced efforts of the University as a whole. In addition, the USP’s environmental policy-making process brought about more integration between the campuses and effective actions were put into practice, helping to consolidate USP as a sustainable university. The highlight in the score was \"Setting and Infrastructure\": there are 76.4km 2 of total area and only 2.6% from them are built-up. The University has been prioritizing the protection of green areas and biodiversity, in São Paulo city campus, totally surrounded by urban environment, but also in the other campuses in the countryside, some of them located in rural environment. This shows that USP’s campuses are environmentally responsible, providing students and staff with enjoyable, healthy and in close touch with nature places. On the topic “Transportation”, the University of São Paulo stands out also. Incentives to improve choice for public transportation and biking within the university community are among the constant concern of the University of São Paulo, which will be keeping up efforts for that.

Abstract In concerns of non-revenue water in water supply systems, the benefits arising from the reduction of their indexes directly impact social, economic and environmental spheres, including the expansion of access to clean water. Benchmarking is a management tool already adopted by some countries in this context, aiming to reduce the amount of non-revenue water. The present study aimed to gather information about the application models of this tool, as well as to compare the performance with other countries in which it is also not applied. It was observed that the ideal benchmarking structuring model capable of minimizing these indexes includes less than annual application frequency, partial regulation, absence of confidentiality, gratuity, open and restricted reports to service providers and mean interactivity of the results release. It was also concluded that the countries where benchmarking is practiced have better performances regarding lower levels of non-revenue water. Resumen En el contexto de las pérdidas en los sistemas de suministro de agua, los beneficios derivados de la reducción de sus índices influyen directamente en aspectos sociales, económicos y medioambientales, incluida la universalización de los servicios de saneamiento. El Benchmarking es una herramienta de gestión ya adoptada por algunos países, con el propósito de reducir las pérdidas. El objetivo de este trabajo es recopilar información sobre los modelos de aplicación de esta herramienta, así como comparar el rendimiento entre los países donde se aplica o no. Se observó que el modelo ideal de estructuración del benchmarking capaz de minimizar estos índices incluye frecuencia de aplicación inferior a la anual, regulación parcial, ausencia de confidencialidad, gratuidad, informes públicos y privados a proveedores de servicios e interactividad media en la cuenta de resultados. También se concluyó que los países donde se practica el benchmarking tienen los mejores rendimientos en cuanto a pérdidas. Resumo No contexto das perdas em sistemas de abastecimento de água, os benefícios oriundos da redução de seus índices influenciam diretamente em questões sociais, econômicas e ambientais, incluindo a universalização dos serviços de saneamento. O benchmarking é uma ferramenta de gestão já adotada por alguns países nesse setor, visando à diminuição das perdas. O presente artigo objetivou levantar informações sobre os modelos de aplicação dessa ferramenta, bem como comparar o desempenho entre os países onde há ou não a sua aplicação no âmbito do controle de perdas. Foi observado que o modelo ideal de estruturação de benchmarking capaz de minimizá-las inclui frequência de aplicação menor que anual, regulamentação parcial, confidencialidade ausente, gratuidade, relatórios públicos e restritos às prestadoras de serviço e interatividade média na demonstração dos resultados. Concluiu-se que os países onde o benchmarking é praticado possuem os melhores desempenhos referentes às perdas de água.

Abstract The sanitation regulatory milestone in Brazil was established in 2007; regulatory agencies are responsible for assuring that service providers work in compliance with sanitation plans. The Water Supply and Sanitation Services (WS&SS) provided to subnormal clusters present peculiar features that require regulatory agencies to have appropriate tools to perform such monitoring. The aim of the current article is to build and present a system of indicators used for this purpose. A combination of traditional and participatory approaches was used to collect the indicators. Eleven indicators were proposed in the participatory approach and twelve were inserted in the traditional approach. These indicators were assessed by experts and applied to Cubatão County. Thus, a system comprising twenty-three indicators is herein presented to help monitoring the contractual and planning goals of WS&SS provided to subnormal clusters. The model is innovative and can be used in Incentive-based or in Sunshine regulations. Resumen El marco regulatorio del saneamiento en Brasil fue instituido en 2007, y las agencias reguladoras tienen la responsabilidad de verificar el cumplimiento de los planes de saneamiento por parte de los proveedores de servicios. Los Servicios de Abastecimiento de Agua y Saneamiento (SAA&S) para aglomerados subnormales tienen características peculiares que exigen de las agencias reguladoras instrumentos apropiados para monitoreo. El propósito de este artículo fue construir un sistema de indicadores para este propósito. Para la selección de los indicadores se utilizó una combinación de enfoques tradicionales y participativos. Se propusieron once indicadores en el enfoque participativo y doce en el enfoque tradicional. Estos indicadores fueron evaluados por expertos y aplicados en el municipio de Cubatão. Como resultado, se presenta un sistema con veintitrés indicadores para monitorear los objetivos de los SAA&S para aglomerados subnormales. El modelo es innovador y puede ser utilizado por la regulación de Incentivo o Sunshine. Resumo O marco regulatório do saneamento no Brasil foi instituído em 2007, cabendo às entidades reguladoras a verificação do cumprimento dos planos de saneamento por parte dos prestadores de serviços. Os serviços de esgotamento sanitário e abastecimento de água (SAA&ES) em aglomerados subnormais apresentam características peculiares que demandam das reguladoras ferramentais apropriados para tal monitoramento. O presente artigo teve como objetivo construir e apresentar um sistema de indicadores para esse fim. Para a seleção dos indicadores utilizou-se uma combinação das abordagens participativa e tradicional. Onze indicadores foram propostos na abordagem participativa e outros doze foram inseridos na abordagem tradicional. Esses indicadores foram avaliados por especialistas e aplicados no município de Cubatão. Como resultado, é apresentado um sistema com vinte e três indicadores para monitorar as metas contratuais e de planejamento dos SAA&ES para aglomerados subnormais. O modelo é inovador e pode ser utilizado pela regulação por incentivos ou Sunshine.

The current model of water resources management in Brazil is decentralized, participative and integrated, and adopted the river basin as a planning unit. It is based on the performance of watershed committees; each committee has its own composition and rules of procedure, governed by its statute. The basic principles of this management have been established by the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 and detailed by the National Water Resources Policy in 1997. At the State level, São Paulo enacted its water resources policy in 1991. This paper examined the participatory process in basin committees of the São Paulo State and its implications in the implementation of the instruments of water management, based in a case study of the Tiete - Jacaré Watershed Committee, using questionnaires filled by the Committee’s members (2009 - 2011). Engagement and integration among the stakeholders was observed. Still, the interviews’ results have shown that the Committee’s statute should be reviewed due to differences between the Federal and the State legislation, mainly regarding the participating sectors and representatives. It also showed a need for more information about water resource issues in this basin and in the State of São Paulo, as a whole. At the same time, it is recommended that representativeness of the institutions within the water council management be improved and that the work produced by the technical chambers be recognised at the committee decision-making level.

Brazil and Colombia are rich in terms of water supply, ranking as world leaders in the supply of water resources. Despite this, both countries have problems of relative scarcity of this vital liquid in highly populated areas with much economic activity. Establishing policies and legal environmental standards has long tradition in both countries. However, although there are provisions and instruments for water management at the water basin level, these do not necessarily follow the conceptual development of integrated water resources management (IWRM). As a result, the two countries have partially implemented IWRM elements but with different characteristics both in its structure and instrumentality. In Colombia the State Government, through the Regional Environmental Corporations, implements IWRM (concessions, fee for water use, pollution rate, basin plans, etc), with no formal involvement of civil society management. In Brazil, however, IWRM management structure and tools are decentralized and participatory, as are the Water Basin Committees, entities where the State Government, municipalities and users participate, those with the greatest weight in water management. In Brazil, however, this model is not yet implemented in all watersheds. Thus, the aim of this paper is to compare the institutional and legal aspects of water management models in Brazil and Colombia with regard to the integrated water management concept. For the latter, we worked with a case study for each country regarding Nima River watershed (Colombia) and Tietê Jacaré (Brazil).

Tornou-se lugar comum, sobretudo em correntes ligadas aos movimentos sociais mais amplos e às questões ambientais, a crítica ao reducionismo da ciência clássica, à dinâmica de trabalho individualizado, à desconexão e à falta de integração com os problemas reais. Como resultado, cresce o número de formadores de opinião em favor de uma ciência mais integrada aos problemas reais e de um conhecimento como processo coletivo. O Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) desenvolveu um Diretório dos Grupos de Pesquisa existentes no Brasil, alguns destes grupos possuem modelo de rede. Com o cenário apresentado, a reflexão sobre a importância de avaliar o potencial destes grupos foi incentivada para influenciar a formulação e a implantação de políticas públicas ambientais. Foi possível identificar fatores chave para o fortalecimento da influência nas políticas públicas, destacando-se dentre estes, avanços em abordagens interdisciplinares. Porém, os grupos possuem dificuldades na utilização de ferramentas de comunicação mais eficientes para o trabalho em rede e para atingir os tomadores de decisões; no acesso a fundos e nos critérios para integrar os grupos estudados. Tornase como lugar común, sobretodo en corrientes ligadas a los movimientos sociales más amplios y a las temáticas ambientales, una crítica al reduccionismo de la ciencia clásica, a la dinámica del trabajo individualizado, a las desconexiones y la falta de integración con los problemas reales. Como resultado crece el número de formadores de opinión en favor de una ciencia mas integrada a los problemas reales y de un conocimiento como proceso colectivo. El Consejo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (CNPq) desarrolló un Directorio de los Grupos de Investigación existentes en Brasil. Algunos de estos grupos poseen un modelo en red. Este escenario originó una reflexión sobre la importancia de evaluar el potencial de estos grupos en influenciar la formulación e implementación de políticas públicas ambientales. Fue utilizado un estudio exploratorio con revisión bibliográfica y de profundización de la investigación teniendo por objetos a estos grupos. Entre los resultados fue posible identificar factores claves para el fortalecimiento de las influencias en las políticas públicas. Entre estos se destacan avances en el abordaje más interdisciplinario. Sin embargo, los grupos poseen dificultades en la utilización de herramientas de comunicación más eficientes para un trabajo en red y para asistir al decisor; el poco acceso a fondos y los criterios para integrarse a los grupos. For the current science related to social movements and environmental issues it is usual the critical discussion of classical science reductionism, the dynamics of individualized work, the disconnection and the lack of integration with the real problems. As a result, the number of opinion in favor of a more integrated science grows. The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) has developed a Research Groups Directory in Brazil. Some of these groups have a network model. It is important to evaluate the inherent capacity of these groups for influencing the formulation and implementation of environmental policies. We used the exploratory study based on the literature review focused on these groups. Among the results were identified key factors for strengthening influence on public policy which have stood out more interdisciplinary approaches. However, the groups had difficulties in using communication tools for more efficient networking and to reach decision makers. Some groups had difficulties in accessing funds and to join the groups.

This study aimed to analyze recent scientific literature concerning performance evaluation in the water supply sector, focusing on Brazil, and investigate factors that could influence its performance. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic literature review, following a series of steps to identify approaches, methodologies, and contexts into which the studies were developed. The search revealed that the studies focused on different management models and market structure issues. In addition, they also showed that the performance of service providers can be influenced by political and socioeconomic context and geographic aspects. A gap was identified concerning the qualitative studies since most used econometric methods mainly aimed at technical and financial efficiency. Also, social and service user perspectives received limited academic attention. To face the challenges in water provision in Brazil, tools, such as those related to performance evaluation, are essential for sufficient system management and can guide decision-makers and service providers.