Uberaba has recently been reported to have receded two positions in Brazil's national sanitation ranking, dropping from 9th to 11th place. Despite this decline, Uberaba has retained its status as the leading city in Minas Gerais for basic sanitation according to the 2026 ranking released by Instituto Trata Brasil in collaboration with GO Associados. This ranking is particularly significant as it showcases major progress in the city’s sanitation initiatives over the years.

The Instituto Trata Brasil has been releasing these sanitation results since 2009, initially focusing on Brazil's 81 largest municipalities and extending to the top 100 most populous urban centers in 2012. This continuous assessment provides essential insights into the development of sanitation services, which are vital for public health. The current evaluation, based on data from 2024, considered critical indicators such as water supply, sewage treatment, and sanitation coverage.

Although Uberaba's drop in the ranking may seem concerning, it marks the third best result for the city since it began participating in these evaluations in 2012. The local government and organizations like Codau are celebrating this achievement, illustrating a commitment to improving basic sanitation. The ongoing challenges within the broader context of Brazilian sanitation underscore the importance of such rankings in fostering accountability and progress across the country.