A court in Sergipe, Brazil, has ordered water company Iguá to stop issuing bills to residents in the Lamarão neighborhood of Aracaju until infrastructure works are completed.
The court ruling in Sergipe mandates that the water supply company, Iguá Sergipe, must halt bill issuance to residents of the Lamarão neighborhood, including the Dom Luciano and Moema residential areas in the North Zone of Aracaju. This decision, prompted by a request from the Public Ministry of Sergipe (MP-SE), remains in effect until necessary infrastructure improvements to the water supply system are finalized.
The case traces back to a 2020 Civil Public Action against the Sergipe Sanitation Company (Deso), which required significant infrastructural upgrades in the region for residents to receive potable water directly in their homes. Despite the prior ruling, there was no compliance from Deso, prompting the Public Ministry to pursue execution actions. After Iguá took over, they began issuing bills for water, even though residents were not receiving water service.
The findings emphasize ongoing issues of infrastructure and accountability in providing essential services to residents in particularly underserved areas. The situation highlights the need for immediate actions to be taken to address the water supply issue and enforce compliance from the companies responsible for providing such services. Residents are left in a state of uncertainty as the legal proceedings unfold, waiting for a resolution that will ensure their access to reliable water supply, which is a basic necessity.
