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.

Gift

Gift | Summary (Es)

La construcción de embalses produce transformaciones en las características y funcionamiento de las cuencas hídricas a diferentes escalas. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar las formas de ocupación y usos del suelo en la cuenca urbana embalsada del Lago del Fuerte (Buenos Aires, Argentina), las cuales son producidas por la superposición de actores, lógicas e intereses diversos. Además, se evalúan las problemáticas asociadas al embalse emanadas de las dinámicas propias del sistema socio-ecológico. La investigación combinó el uso de técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas para el tratamiento de información primaria y secundaria. Se realizó observación documental –periódicos locales, normativa vigente a escalas nacional, provincial y local–, relevamiento y observación directa en campo y entrevistas a informantes calificados. Se evidenció la superposición de actores y marcos regulatorios sobre el área de estudio, así como modificaciones en el uso del suelo con el consiguiente desarrollo e intensificación de problemáticas sobre la calidad del agua del embalse. Se torna imperioso profundizar en el desarrollo de una visión integral del territorio y de los recursos hídricos que articule a su vez los diferentes actores involucrados en el uso, regulación y gestión del área de estudio.   Abstract The construction of reservoirs produces transformations in the water basins features and functioning at different scales. On the one hand, this work aims to analyze the occupation modes and land uses in the Lago del Fuerte dammed urban basin (Buenos Aires province, Argentina) produced by the overlap of diverse stakeholders, logics, and interests. On the other hand, it aims to evaluate the problems associated with the reservoir arising from the dynamics of the socioecological system. The research combined the use of quantitative and qualitative techniques for the analysis of primary and secondary information. Documental observation was carried out with local newspapers and current regulations at national, provincial, and local scales, a survey, direct field observation, and interviews to qualified informants. The overlapping of stakeholders and regulatory frameworks on the study area was evidenced. Also, modifications of land uses, together with the development and intensification of problems on the water quality of the reservoir were detected. The results show that it has become compelling to work on a comprehensive vision of territory and water resources that articulates simultaneously different stakeholders involved in the use, regulation, and management of the study area.  

Climate change is at the top of the development agenda in Central America. This region, together with the Caribbean, is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change in Latin America. Climate change is manifesting itself through higher average temperatures and more frequent droughts that result in higher water stress, and through the rising frequency of extreme weather events such as tropical storms, hurricanes, floods and landslides, all of which pose significant challenges in the rural water supply and sanitation sector. The paper starts with a review of the historic data on temperature and precipitation trends in Central America and particularly at the regional level in Nicaragua. The data reveal a clear trend of the growing climate variability, increased water stress for crops, and greater frequency of extreme weather events. The rising intensity and frequency of ex-treme weather events is among the most critical risks to the region's development agenda, and they translate into high economic losses. This paper examines the impacts and implications of potential climate change on water resources in Nicaragua and makes key recommendations to integrate climate change and rural water supply and sanitation policies and programs in a way that increase resilience to current and future climate conditions. | 0

Esta investigación presenta un análisis del impacto que ha tenido la Política Nacional de Gestión Integral sobre el Recurso Hídrico, sintetiza el estado, presión, respuesta e impacto que ha tenido sobre la cuenca alta del río Bogotá. Inicialmente se establece un marco de referencia en cuanto a la calidad del agua del río, realizando un análisis multi-temporal 2008-2017 a partir del índice de calidad del agua ICA establecido para Colombia por el Ideam, posteriormente se determina y jerarquiza los problemas ambientales asociados a la calidad del agua, finalmente a partir de una matriz de compatibilidad se identifican los posibles conflictos entre los objetivos de la política y los problemas del río Bogotá. Se concluye de forma general que, con el fin de dar solución a los problemas ambientales, se han visto involucradas todas las ramas del poder público del estado colombiano, quienes en marco de sus obligaciones legales, desde las diferentes instancias han desarrollado una serie de instrumentos velando por la mejora de la calidad del agua y con ello en garantizar la oferta de agua dulce para los ciudadanos, a pesar de ello, aun está presente una desarticulación institucional que permita el cumplimiento de los objetivos planteados en las políticas promulgadas. | This research presents an analysis of the impact that the National Policy of Integral Management has had on the Water Resource, synthesizes the state, pressure, response and impact that it has had on the upper basin of the Bogotá river. Initially, a frame of reference was established regarding the quality of the river water, performing a multi-temporal analysis 2008-2017 based on the ICA water quality index established for Colombia by Ideam, later environmental problems were identified and prioritized Associated with water quality, finally, from a compatibility matrix, possible conflicts between the objectives of the policy and the problems of the Bogotá River are identified. It is generally concluded that, in order to solve environmental problems, all the branches of public power of the colombian state have been involved, which in the framework of their legal obligations, from the different instances have developed a series of instruments ensuring the improvement of water quality and thus ensuring the supply of fresh water for citizens, despite this, there is still an institutional disarticulation that allows the fulfillment of the objectives stated in the promulgated policies.

This paper presents new experiences in the province of Andahuaylas, in the Andes of Peru, in a bid to help solve the problem of water supply in rural scattered areas. The central part of the document consists of a study that describes and analyzes the process by which 5 small areas in a scattered rural steeply sloping side of a mountain managed to acquire a sustainable water supply operated by gravity. The study includes 3 chapters. The first chapter examines the water issues in the communities, what solutions developed by the commoners to stock up on water, what are the drawbacks of the traditional system of their drinking water system. The second chapter describes technical aspects of the project, explaining how the technologies employed were the product of the physical and social environment. The third chapter describes the community participation during and after the project.

[Introduction]:  Uncoordinated and fragmented management of water resources prevails in Latin America due to the use of sectoral approaches and the lack of information and systematization. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), an approach that aims at the combined consideration of social, economic, and ecological dimensions based on intersectoral management and integrated planning, is widely recognized as appropriate to respond to the challenges of sustainable management. [Objective]: The objective was to analyze comprehensively the physical-natural and social variables that define the problem of drinking water in rural schools in Tandil county. [Methodology]: Physicochemical and microbiological analyzes were conducted to determine the potability of the resource. An index of the level of water management in schools was developed and applied, and an interview was conducted with a key Tandil School Council informant to evaluate institutional management of the resource. Finally, the variables researched were analyzed on a comprehensive basis. [Results]: Results indicated that microbiologically the water is not suitable for consumption in 73 % of the schools and that institutional management lacks conceptualization of integral management. [Conclusions]: Based on the results, it is concluded that such management directly influences the quality of water, as it is evidenced in the microbiological problems detected. The main shortcomings of the current management are identified and the need to assume institutional measures that tend to a comprehensive management of the resource is highlighted. | [Introducción]: En América Latina prevalece un manejo descoordinado y fragmentado de los recursos hídricos por la utilización de enfoques sectoriales y por la falta de información y sistematización. La Gestión Integrada de Recursos Hídricos (GIRH), enfoque que apunta a la consideración combinada de las dimensiones sociales, económicas y ecológicas con base en la gestión intersectorial y planificación integrada, es reconocida como apropiada para responder a los desafíos de la gestión sustentable. [Objetivo]: Se planteó como objetivo analizar, de forma integral, las variables físico-naturales y sociales que definen la problemática del agua de consumo en las escuelas rurales del partido de Tandil. [Metodología]: Se realizaron análisis fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos para determinar la potabilidad del recurso, se desarrolló y aplicó un índice del nivel de manejo del agua en las escuelas, así como una entrevista a un informante clave del Consejo Escolar de Tandil, para evaluar el manejo institucional del recurso y, por último, las variables relevadas se analizaron por completo. [Resultados]: Los resultados indicaron que microbiológicamente el agua no es apta para el consumo en el 73 % de las escuelas y que el manejo institucional dista de una conceptualización de gestión integral. [Conclusiones]: A partir de la integración de los resultados se concluye que dicho manejo influye directamente sobre la calidad del agua, evidenciado en los problemas microbiológicos detectados. Se identifican las principales falencias del manejo actual y se destaca la necesidad de asumir medidas institucionales que tiendan a una gestión integral del recurso. | [Introdução]: Na América Latina prevalece um manejo descoordenado e fragmentado dos recursos hídricos pela utilização de enfoques setoriais e pela falta de informação e sistematização. A Gestão Integrada de Recursos Hídricos (GIRH), enfoque que aponta para a consideração combinada das dimensões sociais, econômicas e ecológicas com base na gestão intersetorial e planificação integrada, é reconhecida como adequada para responder aos desafios da gestão sustentável. [Objetivo]: Sugere-se como objetivo analisar, de forma integral, as variáveis físico-naturais e sociais que definem a problemática da água potável nas escolas rurais da cidade de Tandil. [Metodologia]: Foram realizadas análises fisioquímicos e microbiológicos para determinar a potabilidade do recurso, foi desenvolvido e aplicado um índice do nível de manejo da água nas escolas, como também realizada uma entrevista com um informante-chave do Conselho Escolar de Tandil, para avaliar o manejo institucional do recurso e, por último, completamente analisadas as variáveis relevadas. [Resultados]: Os resultados indicaram que, microbiologicamente, a água não é apta para o consumo em 73% das escolas e que o manejo institucional se distancia de uma conceptualização de gestão integral. [Conclusões]: A partir da integração dos resultados conclui-se que tal manejo influencia diretamente a qualidade da água, evidente nos problemas microbiológicos detectados. Identificam-se as principais falências do manejo atual e destaca-se a necessidade de tomar medidas institucionais que tendam a uma gestão integral do recurso. 

Reduzir, reutilizar e reciclar são as novas tendências do mercado para o gerenciamento dos resíduos. Tanto as grandes empresas como as pequenas estão se adequando a esse novo cenário, marcado por uma rígida legislação ambiental, pelo alto custo da produção e pela competição. No setor da agroindústria não é diferente. No sentido de contribuir para a melhoria da gestão ambiental das micro e pequenas empresas, o objetivo geral deste trabalho foi disponibilizar conhecimentos sobre práticas e/ou procedimentos para redução do consumo de água e da geração de resíduos em micro e pequenas empresas de laticínios. Um diagnóstico ambiental foi realizado por meio de um levantamento do consumo de água e da geração de efluentes de uma pequena indústria de laticínios localizada na Zona da Mata Mineira. De posse do diagnóstico, foi proposto um sistema multimídia direcionado, principalmente, para as micro e pequenas indústrias de laticínios, mostrando a importância e as vantagens de se fazer um controle preventivo da geração de resíduos e do consumo de água. Além disso, o sistema multimídia proposto orienta passo a passo como implementar um programa de redução do consumo de água e um sistema de gerenciamento ambiental na indústria de laticínios. Por meio do diagnóstico de consumo de água e da geração de efluentes na indústria de laticínios concluiu-se que: i) As linhas de produção de queijo mussarela, queijo frescal e requeijão geram a maior carga orgânica específica (kg de DQO/m3 de leite processado), devido ao descarte direto do soro no efluente; ii) A falta de padronização dos procedimentos de limpeza e a falta de conscientização e treinamento dos funcionários em relação às boas práticas ambientais são pontos críticos em todas as linhas de processamento, tendo sido observado um consumo excessivo de água para uma unidade do porte da indústria de laticínios estudada; iii) Os coeficientes de consumo específico de água (L de água/L litro de leite recebido) no valor de 6,1 para água industrial e 7,0 para água total (água industrial mais vapor), estão muito acima dos encontrados na literatura. Finalmente, identificou-se que a implementação de medidas simples como o reaproveitamento do soro, a padronização dos procedimentos de limpeza, o treinamento e a conscientização dos funcionários, a manutenção preventiva dos equipamentos e práticas de reuso de água proporcionarão a redução no consumo de água e no volume e na carga poluidora do efluente. Em relação ao sistema multimídia desenvolvido, o mesmo consiste de quatro módulos, com informações interligadas, facilitando a compreensão e proporcionando rapidez no seu uso. Esses módulos são: Sistema de Gerenciamento Ambiental (SGA), Programa de Conservação e Reuso de Água (PCRA), Características de resíduos da indústria de laticínios e Manual para implantação de um SGA. Dentro de cada módulo, as informações estão organizadas em itens e subitens. Além desses módulos, o programa apresenta itens de apoio contendo saiba mais, glossário, legislação, exemplos de aplicação na indústria e um acesso ao editor de mensagem que permite comunicar com o especialista. De acordo com os avaliadores, o sistema multimídia proposto apresenta grande potencial para ser usado como uma ferramenta de apoio no gerenciamento de resíduos e na redução do consumo de água nas indústrias de laticínios. Ajustes, principalmente, nas ferramentas de navegação, na estética e qualidade gráfica dos ambientes e na interface (cores e imagens) tornarão o ambiente mais atrativo e facilitará a sua utilização pelo público alvo. | Reducing, reusing, and recycling are the new trends in the market to management of residues. Both big and small enterprises are fitting themselves to this scenery, labeled by a strict environmental legislation, by the high cost of production and by the competition. In the agricultural industry section is not different. In the sense to contribute to the improvement of environmental management in the micro and small enterprises, the general aim of this work was to make available the knowledge on practices and/ or procedures to reduce the water consumption and generation of residues in micro and small dairy enterprises. An environmental diagnostic was carried out through a survey on the water consumption and generation of effluents in a small dairy industry located in Zona da Mata Mineira. In possession of the diagnostic, an addressed multimedia system was proposed, mainly to the micro and small dairy industries, showing the importance and advantages in doing a preventive control in generation of residues and in the water consumption. Besides that, the proposed multimedia system guides step by step how to implement a reduction in water consumption and in a system of environmental management in the dairy industry. By diagnosing the water consumption and a generation of effluents it was concluded that: I) the production lines of mussarela cheese, frescal cheese and requeijão produce the highest specific organic load (DQO kg/ m3 manipulate milk), due to the immediate discard of whey in the effluent, ii) the lack of standard of the cleaning procedures and lack of awareness and training of the workers regarded to the good environmental practices are critical points in all processecing lines, and it has been notices that an excessive water consumption to an unity with the size of the dairies studied; iii) the coefficients of specific consumption of water ( L of water / L of received milk) in the value of 6.1 to industrial water and 7.0 to the total water (industrial water plus vapor), are higher than the ones found in the literature. Finally, it was identified the implementation of simple measures as the reusing of the whey, the setting of standards for cleaning procedures, the training and awareness of the workers, the preventive maintenance of the equipments and practices of reuse of the water will provide reduction in water consumption and in the volume and in the polluter load of the effluent . Regarding to the developed multimedia system, it is made up of four modules with interconnected information making the understanding easier and giving rapidity on its use. Those modules are the following: System of Environmental Management (SGA), Program of Conservation and Reuse of the Water (PCRA), Characteristics of residues in the Dairy Industry and Manual to implementation of a SGA. The information is organized in items and subitems in each modulo. Besides those modules, the program presents items of support having know more, glossary, legislation, examples of application in the industry and access to the editor of message that allows to communicate with the expert. Accordingly to the appraiser, the proposed multimedia system shows a great potential to be used as support tool in the management of residues and in the reduction of water consumption in the dairy industry. Adjustments, mainly in the navigation tools, in the aesthetics and graphic quality of the environments and interface (colors and images) made the environment more attractive and it will make its utilization by the target public easier. | Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico