Governança de água para distintos níveis de planejamento no semiárido da Paraíba: análise para o período 2012-2018.

Abstract

Water Governance has a broad concept, and it is related to policies and processes set that regulate the development and assists the institutions to achieve an effective water resources management. In order to governance exist, it is required to address the current impacts, the local climatic conditions, and be able to adapt to correct the detected failures. The semi-arid portion of the Paraíba river basin, located in Paraíba state, suffers with semiarid climatic variability, with reservoirs as the only water source during drought events. From 2012, a dry season struck the region, causing the decrease of the basin reservoirs levels. Among those is the Epitácio Pessoa reservoir, which is responsible for water supplying 26 municipalities, including Campina Grande. The total volume of the reservoir reached, in March 2017, 2,9% of its maximum value. While the Paraíba river basin waters has state level management, the reservoir waters are under Union management. This complex situation causes difficulties of the reservoir management. The water related problems in the basin are directly related to governance failure. Seen in these terms, this paper analyzes the Paraíba River Basin’s water governance, considering two different levels: the Paraíba river basin (macro level) and the Epitácio Pessoa reservoir (micro level). The research identifies governance failures using the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) water governance principles. Evaluation criteria are used to analyze, at federal and state levels, the alignment between water policies and the 12 OECD water governance principles, as well as, their implementation degree from 2012 to 2018. Methodologically, the research verified the governance based on documents analysis and opinion survey among water experts. The analysis results indicate the State’s and the reservoir’s water management fragilities, even after 22 years of the Brazilian National Water Resources Policy (Law 9.433 / 1997). The need for water managers integration, at all water management levels, including the basin committee’s more effective acting are among the suggestions made to ensure a good water governance.