Although water is considered a human right, rural communities in many countries face challenges related to the lack of a safe water supply. In rural areas, where there is no access to public or private water supply, populations have no other choice than to rely on other unsafe sources of water. Community-managed water supply (CMWS) has emerged as an alternative to address the lack of access to safe water. Nonetheless, this alternative has several critical characteristics that harm the sustainability of water supplies. Studies on sustainability and the long-term impact of the CMWS were explored through a review of recent literature using Scopus and Web of Science databases, which analyzed 86 papers reporting on research into the sustainability and efficiency of water supply systems managed and operated by local communities, as well as the long-term critical factors that can interfere with the functionality of these systems. Based on the critical factors most cited in the literature, we proposed a framework of strategies that interrelate and integrate the critical factors into levels of responsibility. The most critical factors are related to the community level, such as inadequate capacity and ineffective systems. This demonstrates the relevance of local characteristics in the implementation of water management systems. The most cited sustainability strategies refer to the local level as the one requiring action to promote effective community involvement and post-construction support. The framework helps to conceptualize what we called an enabling environment for decision-making, and thus, the achievement of the long-term sustainability of water supply.

The universalization of drinking water in rural communities poses a great challenge to developing countries, where rural areas often receive poor water service coverage and limited attention from authorities. This scenario is the current reality in Brazil. The community management model of rural water services has proven to be a noteworthy approach to ensure the continuity of water supply where private and public entities do not operate. However, its sustainability depends on several aspects. The authors of the current paper performed a thorough review of relevant publications in the rural sanitation field of study using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) methodology, which enabled the creation of a list of essential factors capable to ensure the sustainability of Rural Water Supply Services (RWSS). Using the Nominal Group Technique with a selection of participants from a national conference held in Brazil in 2015, specialists hierarchized the factors, demonstrating their perception of the most important aspects necessary in RWSS throughout Brazil. Consequently, the authors noticed the necessity of a strong enabling environment, which recognizes small communities and their local services. Water quality control, post-construction support and the existence of a financial scheme were also pointed out as important aspects to ensure RWSS’s sustainability.

The community management model of water supply systems has reached a great number of rural settlements worldwide, especially in developing countries. Its functionality, however, has proven to be a major challenge once the stakeholders responsible for maintaining the service fail to provide the technical, financial, and social resources necessary to secure its sustainability. A number of fragilities are associated with a lack of political recognition of community organizations. In some cases, community organizations have been able to maintain strong recognition in decision-making processes through the establishment of associations involving several community organizations, representing a second organizational level. A third organizational level is achieved once these associations reach an extensive area of a territory. This article conducted four case-studies in Latin America. The study revealed that the emblematic examples according to scientific literature presented the second and, in one case, the third organizational level, while the others, where several weaknesses are noticed, only presented the first level. Although difficulties still exist in every scenario analyzed, our study supports that the presence of the second and third organizational levels are factors that positively contribute to better outcomes from the community management model.

An urban–rural dichotomy currently exists in policy documentation, accessibility to resources, and human rights. In Brazil, there remains a significant deficit in water and sanitation services coverage, particularly in rural areas. To achieve universal access to water, the legal framework addresses the development of decentralization actions and co-participation in management. As a result, a community-managed water supply (CMWS) has emerged as the social tool in which the community effectively participates in decision-making and oversees the operation and maintenance of water systems. The long-term sustainability of these systems is affected by critical factors in implementation, management, and maintenance. However, no strategic plan exists to solve/mitigate the critical factors commonly associated with CMWS. We proposed an action plan with multiscale intersectoral management strategies to guarantee water security for rural populations. The strategies were separated into areas of responsibility discussed in the recent literature and evaluated by experts. The strategies at the national level were related to institutional aspects and policy formulation. At the local level, the strategies were related to supporting CMWS from project implementation to post-construction. Finally, at the community level, the strategies were related to the quality and financial recognition of the services.

This study examines how gender roles and regional factors influence water resource management in rural Brazilian communities. Despite differing environmental conditions, Ceará and Espírito Santo regions share community-managed water systems with state involvement. The research highlights how these factors affect women's participation in water management, revealing significant gender disparities. In Ceará, with its hot and semi-arid climate, women struggle with the dual demands of unpaid domestic labor and community responsibilities, limiting their involvement in water management. In contrast, women in Espírito Santo, a region with a subtropical climate and more rainfall, have a stronger presence in water committees but show less interest in broader community associations. The study identifies patriarchal norms and the lack of recognition of women's contributions as key barriers to their participation. The findings suggest that despite regional differences, gender inequalities are a common challenge. Women are often marginalized, facing skepticism and a lack of trust, which hampers their role in decision-making. The study advocates for strategies at both the legislative and social levels to address these disparities, including gender-focused education and integrating women's needs into water management policies. Promoting women's involvement is crucial for equitable resource distribution and enhancing the resilience of rural communities.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the challenges faced by vulnerable urban communities, such as Complexo da Maré, addressing the impacts on public health, the environment, and constitutional rights, with the aim of exposing the vulnerability of these communities and highlighting the difficulties related to the universalization of basic sanitation, aligned with constitutional rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. Theoretical Framework: This section presents the key concepts and theories that underpin the research. Key aspects include the lack of basic sanitation as a reflection of the country’s structural inequalities, the 1988 Constitution, which considers sanitation a social right, and the regulatory framework (Laws No. 11.445/2007 and No. 14.026/2020), which reinforces the importance of universal access. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes a descriptive, qualitative, and documentary approach, based on a literature review. Articles, theses, and reports from the sanitation sector, with a 20-year time frame, were consulted. Data collection was conducted through the analysis of these documents to understand the context and challenges related to sanitation in vulnerable urban communities. Results and Discussion: The results revealed the precarious sanitation conditions in Complexo da Maré, with open sewage and significant impacts on public health. Environmental racism and social exclusion exacerbate the situation, while community initiatives, though promising, do not address the existing gaps. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the identified implications and relationships. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered. Implications of the Research: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, highlighting the need for effective public policies that use sanitation as a tool for social inclusion and environmental justice. Collaboration between government and communities is essential for concrete progress. These implications may impact public policy, public health, the environment, and sustainable urban development. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a detailed analysis of sanitation in Complexo da Maré, connecting it to constitutional rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The relevance and value of this research are evident in its exploration of practical community solutions, contributing to the debate on socio-environmental justice and proposing the universalization of basic sanitation as a way to reduce inequalities and ensure sustainability in marginalized communities.