Water allocation in Brazil : main strategies, learning and challenges

Abstract

Brazil is characterized by highly diverse biomes, hydrologic regimes and water uses. The relevance of irrigated agriculture in the county's economy, combined with the significant contribution of hydropower to the electricity matrix and the presence of large metropolitan areas translate to a strong water-food-energy nexus. Water management under this context requires control and allocation in an extensive network of long rivers, operated with seasonal and multi-year carryover capacity. The future development and overall water security in Brazil will bring increasingly competing demands and growing challenges to water allocation, demanding more robust regulations and institutions. This chapter reviews the nature of Brazilian water rights and the current legal and policy framework determining water allocation, followed by the presentation of several innovative initiatives to control water access, based on locally defined allocation rules and local needs, challenges and opportunities. From this rich experience, we draw recommendations on how to move forward in improving water allocation strategy at the national level and adapting water management practices to cope with the challenges ahead.