Standard proposal of nonconformities applied to inspection of water supply systems by regulatory agencies

ABSTRACT This study proposes a standardization of nonconformities applied to direct inspection of water supply systems using legal instruments of sanitation sector and national regulatory agencies’ experience. From the analysis of checklist and normative resolutions available in three regulatory agencies websites - ARCE, ARSI and ARES-PCJ - and of regulatory provisions related to sanitation, a list of items to check supply systems in direct inspection was made. The list includes all system units, from the water catchment areas to distribution network, besides the aspects of water quality. The items discussed were classified as: non-conformities; subject to the agency’s recommendation and; for informational purposes only. The final document provides a list of 179 items for water supply systems’ inspection, being 80 nonconformities, 56 items subject to the agency’s recommendation and 43 items for information purposes only. This proposal is notable for the perspective of improvement supervisory tools and regulatory activity, since one of the regulation’s objectives is to establish standards and norms for the adequate provision of services and customer satisfaction. In addition, the standardization of nonconformities allows for a better comparison between water supply systems from the weaknesses identified by the inspections to enable performance evaluation of service providers and encourage continuous improvement of public services.