Brazil : Managing Water Quality - Mainstreaming the Environment in the Water Sector

Margulis, Sergio; Hughes, Gordon; Gambrill, Martin; Azevedo, Luiz Gabriel T.

Brazil : Managing Water Quality - Mainstreaming the Environment in the Water Sector | Brasil : a gestao da qualidade da agua - insercao de temas ambientais na agenda do setor hidrico

2002

Margulis, Sergio | Hughes, Gordon | Gambrill, Martin | Azevedo, Luiz Gabriel T.

This study examines how environmental issues have been addressed in the water sector in Brazil, within the context of activities of the Federal Government, generally, and those implemented under Bank sector operations, in particular. The core focus of the study lies in the management of water quality, as it affects both the users of raw water, and those who are primarily concerned with the disposal of wastewater. The report considers the following three sectoral areas concomitantly - water resources management, water supply and sanitation, and, the environment - thus limiting its review, and focus to those themes which are key to the over-arching issue of water quality. Water resources management in the country relied upon heavy investments in medium, and large scale projects that provided basic infrastructure for water uses. However, these have produced questionable impacts in terms of reducing poverty, and inequality. One of the reasons for this, has been the poor infrastructure management, which despite its importance, has been largely underestimated. While improvements in the utilization of existing infrastructure in the water sector remain critical, it needs to be complemented by incentives to both service providers, and water users. Moreover, low economic, environmental, and social returns from investments in the water sector, reflect the tendency to distract attention from the objectives in the design, and implementation of projects. Thus, an assessment of water quality goals is required, which should be based on systematic evaluations of the costs, and benefits of reaching alternative standards, and explicit social objectives.

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AGROVOC Keywords

coastal zones drought ecology economic growth employment environmental management environmental protection erosion farmers flood control forest management fresh water gas groundwater households lakes land use legislation natural resources point sources pollution pollution control potable water poverty reduction project design project management property rights public water rainfall reservoirs river basin management river basins river water rivers salinity sewerage sustainable use waste disposal wastewater treatment water law water management water policy water pollution water quality water resources water rights water scarcity water supply water use

Bibliographic information

Publisher

Washington, DC: World Bank

Other Subjects

Water quality management; Environmental problems; Sanitation water; Impact of investment; Regulatory agencies; Socioeconomic benefits; National water resources management; Broad range; Water intakes; Water users water quality management; Municipal government; Right to use water; National water resources; Raw water; Water quantity; Infrastructure regulation; Nutrient loads; Project implementation; Use of water; Environmental issues; Municipal effluent; Bulk water; Water companies; Sanitation sector; Expenditures; Service delivery; Management of water; Pollution charges; Present value; Potential investors; Environmental aspects of economic development; Environmental benefits; Water quality goals; Water utilization; Service quality; Service provision; Water infrastructure; Water resource studies; Quality of water; Service providers; Policy instruments; Sectoral policies; Water shortages; Cost-benefit analysis; Water cycle; National water policy; Water resources management; Service provider; Storage capacity; Industrial water; High levels; Environmental quality; Regulatory framework; Wastewater collection; Wastewater treatment plant; Bod; River basin; Disposal of wastewater; Rate of return; Water supply & sanitation; Sanitation services; Project concept; State water company; Quality water; Environmental impacts; Absorptive capacity; Water sector; Water managers; Sewerage service; Management policy review; Operational performance; Quality of water resources; Water pollution control; Solid waste; Programs; Quality standards

Language

English

Format

application/pdf, text/plain

License

CC BY 3.0 IGO, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo, World Bank

ISSN

8213-5347, 0253-7494

In AGRIS since: 2024-10-18

Modification date: 2025-05-23

Format: Dublin Core

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