Para una ecología política del agua: análisis de la periferia metropolitana de Río de Janeiro (Brasil)

Abstract

This paper presents a debate on water policy and ecology focuses on access to water and sewage network in the outskirts of the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). A theoretical and critical discussion is held based on political ecology and an overview of access to water and the sewage network is presented, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Qualitative analysis of the data shows that access is inefficient for the majority of the population in the periphery and indicates the need for further observation on the quality of water and sewage services. Another highlight is the need for greater reflection on the sector’s privatization, since water cannot be treated as a commodity, but as an essential right for the populations.