A avaliação da política pública de saneamento básico e suas repercussões em decorrência da parceria público privada no município de Fortaleza

Abstract

This dissertation aims to evaluate the public policy on basic sanitation in the city of Fortaleza, with a focus on the impacts of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) established between the Ceará Water and Sewerage Company (Cagece) and the company Ambiental Ceará. The analysis is based on the context of the New Legal Framework for Sanitation, which set the goal of universalizing basic sanitation services in Brazil by 2033 through the participation of private entities and the resulting benefits for the population. The research is grounded in the methodological approach of In-Depth Evaluation (IDE), which enables a critical and contextualized understanding of public policy, considering the meanings and significance attributed by both managers and citizens. The study employs qualitative methods, including interviews and questionnaires conducted with residents of selected neighborhoods in Fortaleza, as well as with managers of the involved institutions. The results related to water supply showed satisfactory performance, whereas those concerning sanitary sewage revealed only specific advances. However, they also highlighted frustrations, a sense of neglect, coordination problems between Cagece and Ambiental Ceará, and a private operational logic focused on profitability at the expense of equity and the commitment to fundamental rights. According to the collected data, the PPP has not been able to equitably meet the needs of the population, especially in the most vulnerable areas. Furthermore, shortcomings in governance and social control—both essential for the success of hybrid management models—were observed. The research concluded that, although the PPP has the potential to contribute to the universalization of services, its success depends on strict regulation and an active state capable of ensuring that the social return on investments matches the public resources employed. Evaluating public policies from the perspective of In-Depth Evaluation proved to be not only a methodological choice but also a political and ethical stance that values the aspirations of individuals and reinforces a commitment to democracy and fundamental rights.