Sanitation services present severe losses and serves only 31% of Brazilian homes. DEA efficiency models for water supply and sewage collection and treatment with 4 inputs and 8 outputs are estimated. Water systems are more efficient than the sewage ones. Regression analysis explains efficiency by operational, geographical and political variables. Companies located in the South are positively affected while those in the North and Center-West are negatively affected. Efficiency is positively affected by administrative continuity and coincidence of political parties at a municipal and state level.
sanitation companies; efficiency analysis; political influences
