The application of management instruments and the Water Resource Management System in Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, RJ, Brazil

Abstract

Brazilian public policies for water resources are defined in a national level by Law 9.433/97 and in the Rio de Janeiro State by Law 3.239/99. Decentralization, integration and public participation are pointed out by both policies as core strategies for water management. They define the Water Resource Management System and determine competences for all its members that are responsible for planning, developing and applying the instruments for water management. This study aims to analyze the application of water resources policies in Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon basin, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. The results showed that no planning activities for this basin were carried out while several actions were implemented by the city and state government agencies as well as private institutions. Water permits and charging for water use were the two only management instruments well implemented in the basin indicating that instruments financially attractive are prioritized. All others instruments were not implemented yet or need to be updated. This work concludes that the implementation of water resource policies in Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon basin is incipient and the strengthening of the Water Resource Management System, including planning and public participation, must be reinforced.