The Águas de Teresina water utility has accrued a total of R$ 12 million in fines since 2020, according to the Teresina Regulatory Agency (Arsete). Despite these penalties, the company has appealed all of them and has yet to make any payments. The most recent fine, issued on February 12, is valued at R$ 2.6 million for issues related to a sewage leak in the Saci neighborhood of south Teresina, highlighting ongoing service delivery failures affecting residents.

Arsete cites multiple reasons for the enforcement of these fines, including the company's failure to meet regulatory targets, irregularities discovered during inspections, and unjustified charges related to sewage connections. The agency also notes that appeals for two fines imposed in 2021 and 2024 are currently awaiting judicial decisions, while the remaining fines are still in the administrative appeal stage.

The accumulation of these fines points to significant regulatory challenges faced by Águas de Teresina and raises questions about the company's operational effectiveness and accountability. Furthermore, as the situation develops, it remains to be seen how local authorities and the public will respond to ongoing service issues and the company's legal challenges in addressing them.