O IMPACTO DO ABASTECIMENTO DE ÁGUA TRATADA NA SAÚDE PÚBLICA

This article analyzes the importance of treated water supply as an essential element for promoting public health in Brazil. Through a literature review and analysis of secondary data, it examines the historical development of sanitation, the epidemiological impacts of contaminated water, and regional inequalities in access to this service. The study highlights that, between 2018 and 2024, Brazil recorded over 460,000 hospitalizations due to waterborne diseases, resulting in public health expenditures exceeding R$ 260 million. Despite regulatory advancements, such as the new Legal Framework for Sanitation, structural barriers persist, requiring integrated and sustainable public policies to ensure universal access to safe drinking water.