A recent survey conducted by Datafolha reveals that the majority of residents in São Paulo hold the state water company, Sabesp, primarily accountable for the ongoing water rationing in the region. Out of the survey respondents from 71 municipalities, 53% directly blamed Sabesp for the water scarcity issues, which raises significant concerns about the company's management and operational capabilities. This places significant pressure on Sabesp to address the growing dissatisfaction among the public regarding their water services.

In contrast, the survey also showed that only 17% of those interviewed pointed fingers at the state government led by Tarcísio de Freitas, while municipal governments and the federal administration received even fewer mentions, at 12% and 7%, respectively. This indicates a stark distinction between the public's perception of Sabesp's role and that of elected officials at various government levels. It highlights a sizeable gap in accountability where the public places greater blame on the water company than on public policy decisions or governance.

The findings of this survey may have significant implications for future public administration and policy implementations in São Paulo. If Sabesp is perceived as the main culprit, there is likely to be increased scrutiny of its operations, potential calls for reform, or changes in leadership. It may serve as a wake-up call for both the company and government officials to reevaluate their strategies regarding water supply management, especially in the wake of climate change challenges and growing population demands.