The Sanitation Law (Law 11.445/2007), a milestone in the way to improve the
sanitary conditions in Brazil, establishes as a fundamental item the economic sustainability of
water and wastewater services. Therefore, the design and modus operandi of these systems is
a key issue and the assessment methods are important tools to support the decision-making
process.
The objective of this study was to propose a methodology for assessment of water and
wastewater projects in Brazil. To that purpose, it was made a documentary analysis of the
main references on the subject in Europe, US and Brazil as well as the World Bank, reference
institution in leading project evaluations. Then, it was analyzed the specific issues of water
and wastewater in Brazil, considering the premises and necessary information for carry out
projects evaluation in the Brazilian context.
As a result of this work, it was produced a manual and an electronic evaluation model
for water and wastewater projects. The manual presents clearly and concisely the steps to be
taken in the evaluation of projects and the electronic model allow working the quantitative
aspects of the project under study.
The model was tested in a case study and has proved its efficiency since it was able to
provide enough information to support the decision-making process. The information
produced allows the investor to allocate its resources in the most efficient way and choose
between different alternatives that one which provides the best results.
For the situation presented in the case study, implementation of wastewater system in
the municipality of Miracema do Tocantins, the analysis made clear the financial infeasibility
of the project, although economically viable, and the need to seek other project feasibility
mechanisms.
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