PANORAMA OF HYDRIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN BRAZIL

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to presente, based on a bibliographic review, an overview of water resources management in Brazil based on the evolution of available legislation, water uses and some methodologies used in the diagnosis os hydrographic basins. The precarious conditions of sanitation, wich are reflected in the poor quality of water resources, point to challenges that need to be overcome mainly in the management of environmental resources as a whole. Thus, the issue of the quality of water resources and the water consumed by the population is urgent and current. Brazilian legal frameworks referring to water resources are among the most coherent in the world, including international recommendations. However, the planning process still needs, in practice, to incorporate goals that actually help in the management of hydrographic basins, spatial analysis units par excellence, reflecting on the quality of water available for consumption.