Por que existem tantos poços irregulares no Brasil?

Abstract

Brazil has a large groundwater availability, and its use has been growing up. It is considered that there are more than 2.5 million tubular wells in Brazil, which pump about 17.5 billion cubic meters per year (557 m³/s); such a flow would be enough to supply 217 million people, therefore, the entire Brazilian population. Such importance, however, is not followed by correct management. There are many irregular wells across the country. It is estimated that at least 70 % of the tubular wells are clandestine or unknown to the government, therefore irregular, and of the total, only 1 % have permits. The uncontrolled use of wells causes: a) socioeconomic impacts, conflicts between users, interference between wells causing the reduction or loss of the resource and increased exploitation costs; b) impacts on the environment, contamination of aquifers; and c) impacts on water resources management, restricting good water governance. The impacts related to the accentuated drawdown in the aquifers, it was conventionally called overexploitation. Aiming to understand the reason for the existence of so many irregular wells in Brazil and define measures that effectively contribute to the reduction of irregularities, an opinion poll was carried out with the participation of 275 respondents. Among the main reasons expressed are the lack of an inspectorate, typically a government responsibility the existence of companies that drill wells without the proper Execution License; and the user's lack of knowledge about groundwater, both in technical and legal aspects. Therefore, adequate inspectorate, essential in managing water resources, is the primary mitigating measure. Furthermore, for the effective application of the legal instruments, it is necessary, above all, that there is political will on the part of all administrative entities and their respective water resources authorities since it is a "top-down approach." In addition, actions must be taken to support management authorities and inspection agents, improve law enforcement mechanisms, oversight of the professional technical activity of well drilling companies, and communication with managers about the importance of groundwater for water security.