Brazil Water Resources Management: Evolution and Challenges

Brazil is a federal republic of South America known as a country of plentiful water. Approximately 13% of the world's surface water resources are in Brazil. This perceived abundance delayed the realization of its scarcity and the need for it to be managed. The Water Code, in 1934, initiated the Brazilian legislation in water resources. A centralizing model that emphasized the utilization of water to generate energy but neglected other uses. The Law 9,433, in 1997, defines a new paradigm — integrated, decentralized management of water resources with user participation. The continental dimensions of the country, together with its ecology and organizational structure, present great challenges for the implementation of this new management model. The institutional instruments as the State Water Resource Councils were installed in many places, except in Roraima, a state in the North of Brazil. However, the Basin Committees that legitimate the participative and decentralizing management are practically present only in basins of the southern and southeastern regions. Only eight states among the 26 of the federation present a State Planning of Water Resources. Although the grant of water use is instituted in almost all states, the criteria have not been defined by the Basin Committees and are based on quantitative hydrologic information with no debate on the preponderant use of water in the region. To support Brazil Water Resources Management two great programs are already in course. The Water Program (PROAGUA) aims at increasing good quality water supply in the semi-arid, northeast region in Brazil. The River Basin Pollution Abatement Program (PRODES) was created aiming at both preventing river basin pollution as well as reducing the existing water pollution levels in the river basins. The aim of the Brazilian managing system is turned to scarcity and it meets the Northeast, with problems related to droughts, and South and Southeast with water quality problems. The management instruments, even implemented, are insufficient to meet the premises of a sustainable management model. Overcoming the challenges will require that the water basin concept, as a planning and management unit, become operational, especially on rivers under both federal and state domain.