Universalização versus privatização: o caso de Goiás e a busca pela efetivação do direito humano ao saneamento básico

Abstract

The universal access to drinking water and sanitation services is mandated by Law n.º 14.026/2020, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and fundamentally recognized as a human right essential for the enjoyment of other rights. This study examines whether the privatization approach embedded in the new sanitation framework aligns with the objective of universal access. The research is structured into three main chapters: the first explores the historical and conceptual development of basic sanitation; the second discusses the recognition of the human right to a healthy and balanced environment, emphasizing how inadequate sanitation undermines other fundamental rights; as for the third, it analyzes the reforms introduced by Law n.º 14.026/2020, with particular attention to the privatization trend, the institutional regionalization efforts in the State of Goiás, and the legislative context surrounding Bill (PL) n.º 2.072/2023. The findings indicate that enforcing a privatization model without addressing existing structural disparities between public and private sectors risks compromising universal access. Therefore, the study advocates for cautious and comprehensive evaluation in forthcoming legislative and policy decisions.