The Government of the State of São Paulo has released the UniversalizaSP Informational Guide. Developed to support municipalities and inform the public, the material helps explain the program, which guides cities in modernizing water supply, wastewater treatment and urban drainage systems. The guide is now available for download on the website of the Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (Semil) at https://semil.sp.gov.br/universalizasp/.
The content presents the main pillars of UniversalizaSP: water security, loss reduction, service expansion and regional organization of sanitation and wastewater services. Another highlight of the guide is the “True or False” section, which clarifies recurring questions about management, investments and population impact. In an accessible format, the material explains the importance of planning to reduce water losses—one of the sector’s main challenges—and provides clear explanations on the need to strengthen water security in the context of climate change.
The guide is intended for public administrators and citizens who wish to learn more about UniversalizaSP, including governance between the State, municipalities and regulatory agencies, and it highlights the transparency mechanisms and social participation that guide the project. The material reinforces the commitment of the Government of São Paulo to clear communication and to providing the population with qualified information on sanitation.
About UniversalizaSP
Created by the State Government with the goal of ensuring water security, reducing losses and universalizing access to clean water, sewage collection and wastewater treatment in São Paulo municipalities, the UniversalizaSP program is based on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The integration between the State, municipalities, the private sector and the regulatory agency offers technical support and mobilizes investments to help municipalities implement projects that expand service coverage in urban areas, rural regions and informal settlements.
The program also adopts a regionalized service model, grouping municipalities into clusters. This approach is a key guideline of Brazil’s New Sanitation Legal Framework (Federal Law 14.026/2020), allowing economies of scale, fair tariffs and the economic sustainability of services.