20 / 2023-12-18 01:20:52

Design and Evaluation of a Model for the Provision of Drinking Water and Sanitation Services at San Joaquin Municipality, Carabobo State, Venezuela

drinking water provision model,sanitation service model,municipal management model,drinking water and sanitation services

In this study, a model for the provision of drinking water and sanitation services (DWSS) was designed and evaluated for the San Joaquin Municipality, Carabobo State, Venezuela. The San Joaquin Municipal Autonomous Water Institute (IAGUASANJO, by its acronym in Spanish) showed a significant increase (103 times) in the performance of its actions compared to the Water and Public Works Directorate attached to the San Joaquin Municipal Mayor's Office in the period 2019-2021, in terms of organization, regulation, coverage and quality, as well as DWSS´s management activities. The method applied in this study encompassed three phases, 1) description of the organizational characteristics for the San Joaquin Municipality-Carabobo State (SJM-SC) DWSS’s provision companies, 2) design of the SJM-SC DWSS’s provision models and 3) evaluation of the SJM-CS DWSS’s provision models. IAGUASANJO was created by the SJM-CS’s ordinance published in the Municipal Gazette Extraordinary Edition N ° 4664, dated July 14, 2020, in replacement of the Water and Public Works Directorate, attached to the Mayor's Office of the SJM-CS. The main functions performed by IAGUASANJO are the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of the aqueducts through networks and wells, as well as the SJM-CS's wastewater collection systems. The main change in DWSS´s provision model in the San Joaquin Municipality occurred for the year 2020, when the IAGUASANJO was created, transforming the DWSS’s management model from a direct public management by the Water and Public Works Directorate of the SJM-CS Mayor's Office to a delegated or complex direct management from the IAGUASANJO. There is progress in the creation of the institutional framework required at the municipal level for the transition and transfer of functions from the regional hydrological public companies to the municipal public company in Venezuela, in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. The DWSS´s provision model in the San Joaquin Municipality is a horizontal structure made up of two delegated public companies, Central Hydrological Company (HIDROCENTRO, by its acronym in Spanish) and IAGUASANJO, as well as community associations and industries that integrate territorial activities in the municipality.