Water security in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro: contributions to the debate

Abstract

This article aims to contribute to discussions on the management of water resources and the elements associated to water security. The discussion has focused on two main aspects, first, in the theoretical frame about discussions of water security and second, in the presentation of the elements which composes the current scenario of water management in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro (RMRJ), based in the discussions about the centrality for Rio de Janeiro's water supply focused in Paraíba do Sul river, and in the role of agencies and organisms associated to water management in this territory. Based in the researching about the water availability and quality in Rio de Janeiro and the mechanisms presents in this State, the elements presented in this article demonstrated a context of water insecurity in RMRJ.

Can we take the pulse of environmental governance the way we take the pulse of nature? Applying the Freshwater Health Index in Latin America

“…This perhaps reflects the fact that the laws about roles and responsibilities for river basin committees are already promulgated; participants also gave the highest overall rating (mean of 3.1 on the 1-5 scale) on the statement relating to infrastructure being centrally managed. The quality and clarity of rules around water allocation received a relatively high rating (2.7), while rules for groundwater abstraction were rated the lowest in that sub-indicator category (1.8), similar to the situation in neighboring Sao Paulo (Borges and Santos 2014). Ratings for financial incentives for environmental stewardship, as well as land use zoning policy, were high (2.7), but market-based schemes rated low (1.6), reflecting the fact that there has been little consideration of, for example, tradeable water rights in the region.…”

Segurança Hídrica Na Área Da Resex De São João Da Ponta - Rio Mocajuba (Pa)

“…Mesmo considerando o índice pluviométrico da região (2477,36 mm/ano) observa-se que há uma demanda de consumo que justifica a discussão de segurança hídrica preventiva, principalmente pelo acesso à água em qualidade e quantidade apropriadas. Santos (2016) apresenta o tema da segurança hídrica em quatro enfoques principais: as preocupações quanto à quantidade e à disponibilidade de água; as discussões sobre as vulnerabilidades associadas à água; as discussões sobre as necessidades humanas associadas às águas (incluindo o acesso à água potável, a segurança alimentar e demais elementos associados ao desenvolvimento humano); e o acesso à água a custo acessível, de maneira que possa prover uma vida limpa, saudável e produtiva enquanto também assegure que o ambiente natural seja protegido e aperfeiçoado.…”