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Venezuela

Project without sewer connection in Venezuela: how to start.

In Venezuela the sanitary regulations allow an on-site system where there is no public sewer, and systems not described in the regulations can be approved by the health authority. Installing a plant and discharging or infiltrating the treated water also requires environmental permits. With the basic data on the site and the project, we carry out an initial assessment; the final solution is then developed with the appropriate professionals and permits. This page is general guidance and does not replace legal advice.

Legal framework reviewed on 5 October 2026
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Common practice today

What exists in Venezuela where there is no sewer connection.

According to the 2011 Census, the most recent official figures, 22% of homes discharged their wastewater into a septic pit; in rural areas, more than half.

What AQUATO does differently

Legal framework

What applies in Venezuela.

  • Normas Sanitarias para Edificaciones (Sanitary Standards for Buildings, G.O. 4,044 Ext., 1988)

    Where there is no public sewer, an on-site treatment and disposal system is allowed (art. 101). Systems not provided for in the standard, such as a compact plant, are submitted to the Autoridad Sanitaria (health authority) for consideration (art. 529). Infiltration requires a percolation test (art. 513).

    Source: Normas Sanitarias, G.O. 4,044 Ext. (transcription)

  • Decreto No. 883 (G.O. 5,021 Ext., 1995)

    Classifies bodies of water and sets limits for discharges into rivers, lakes, the sea and sewer networks; it prohibits infiltrating discharges into the soil that exceed those limits (art. 16). Hotels and housing developments must register in the register of activities liable to degrade the environment.

    Source: Decreto (decree) 883, FAOLEX

  • Ley de Calidad de las Aguas y del Aire (Water and Air Quality Law, 2015)

    Installing a treatment plant requires a certificate of conforming use (constancia de uso conforme) from the environment ministry (art. 98); discharging, injecting or infiltrating effluent requires its prior authorisation (art. 100). The wastewater service is the responsibility of the municipalities (art. 51).

    Source: Ley de Calidad de las Aguas y del Aire (Water and Air Quality Law), FAOLEX

  • Decreto No. 1,257 (1996): environmental assessment

    Every project begins with a Documento de Intención (statement of intent) submitted to the environment ministry. Large tourism or residential developments outside urban areas require an environmental impact study; smaller ones, a specific assessment.

    Source: Decree 1,257, FAOLEX

The route

From the site to the approved plant.

The usual sequence, from the site to the plant in operation.

  1. 01

    Basic data and preliminary assessment

    Using the checklist below, Ektennsa and AQUATO look at the capacity, which system suits the project (PUMP, STABI-KOM or ORKA), where it goes and where the treated water will be discharged.

  2. 02

    Documento de Intención and environmental assessment

    The Documento de Intención is submitted to the environment ministry, which decides whether an environmental impact study, a specific assessment or only the standard supporting documents (recaudos) are needed. After that comes the land occupation authorisation.

  3. 03

    Sanitation design and authorisations

    Your professionals prepare the design using AQUATO's technical documentation: sanitary approval of the system, certificate of conforming use for the plant and authorisation for discharge or infiltration.

  4. 04

    Registration and operation

    Registration in the register of activities, characterisation of the effluent at least once a year and periodic inspection of the system.

To get started

This information is enough for an initial assessment.

Leave blank anything you do not have yet. Nothing more is needed to get started.

  • Location

    State, municipality and whether the site is inside or outside the urban area

  • Site

    Area and space available for the plant

  • Project

    Type of project and number of homes, rooms or units

  • Users

    Approximate number of users and expected peak occupancy

  • Sewer system

    Is there a public sewer that could serve the site?

  • Ground conditions

    Percolation test, water table and distance to water wells

  • Available documents

    Site plan and any permits already obtained

  • Treated water

    Infiltration into the soil, discharge into a body of water or reuse

First step

Tell us what you want to develop.

With the basic details of the site and the project, Ektennsa and AQUATO carry out an initial assessment.

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or directly: WhatsApp · contacto@ektennsa.com