Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Information System (SISAGUA): characteristics, evolution and applicability

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Water Quality Management

Background:

• The Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Information System (SISAGUA) is a key Brazilian instrument for recording water supply and quality data.
• It aligns with national potable water standards and supports public health initiatives.
• Effective water quality surveillance is essential for preventing waterborne diseases and ensuring public safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the history and evolution of the SISAGUA system.
• To present the features of the current version, SISAGUA 4, focusing on data management and system capabilities.
• To analyze the system's data coverage, quality, applicability, limitations, and challenges in Brazilian water quality surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of the SISAGUA system's development.
• Description of SISAGUA 4's architecture, including data collection and processing mechanisms.
• Analysis of system data, including variables, access, coverage, and quality metrics.

Main Results:

• SISAGUA has a significant history in Brazil's water quality monitoring efforts.
• SISAGUA 4 offers enhanced capabilities for data collection, processing, and analysis of drinking water quality.
• The system's data supports risk management, policy development, disease prevention, and population health characterization.

Conclusions:

• SISAGUA is a vital tool for ensuring safe drinking water in Brazil.
• The system's continuous improvement and data utilization are critical for public health and environmental sanitation.
• Addressing the system's limitations and challenges will further enhance its effectiveness in water quality surveillance.