Governança e sustentabilidade da água na bacia hidrográfica do Tarumã-Açu, Manaus, Amazonas

Abstract

This doctoral research aims to evaluate the process of water governance and sustainability in the Tarumã-Açu River Basin, located in the municipality of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, from the perspective of various social actors who base their actions on environmental conservation and participatory water management. The study, which adopts an interdisciplinary and qualitative approach, involved 27 social actors, including community and project leaders, environmental activists, entrepreneurs, public servants, residents, and water users. The research combined bibliographic review, document analysis, and primary data collection, conducted through field visits for direct observation of the basin, identification of water bodies and social actors, and semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with community leaders and residents engaged in social mobilization processes related to water governance. The fieldwork included photographic records and georeferencing of the data collection sites, providing essential support for the analysis of the results. The thesis is structured into four chapters. The first discusses water governance within the context of water resources management; the second presents the theoretical and methodological framework; the third analyzes alternative sources of water supply for human consumption; and the fourth examines the challenges and opportunities for water governance in the Tarumã-Açu River Basin. The Tarumã-Açu River Basin (BHTA) is the only formally established basin management unit in the State of Amazonas, with an active Basin Committee responsible for implementing participatory and decentralized water management in accordance with the National and State Water Resources Policies. Despite notable progress, the basin still faces significant challenges, including inefficient public water supply in both urban and rural areas, unregulated groundwater extraction, and pollution of water sources caused by untreated domestic and industrial wastewater, leading to severe socio-environmental vulnerability. Nevertheless, the basin has achieved important advances in the water governance agenda, such as the increased participation of local institutions, progress in developing the Basin Management Plan, and strengthened environmental enforcement. The joint participation of the three main sectors — users, civil society, and public authorities — is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, while contributing to the reduction of inequalities within and among communities. The findings demonstrate that the strengthening of water governance depends on integration, participation, and cooperative efforts among social and institutional actors, as highlighted by Tundisi (2016) and Machado (2018). The research presents, as its main contributions, an analysis of water management and governance in the BHTA and proposed actions to guide the Basin Committee in developing plans and projects aimed at efficiency and conservation of water resources, ensuring benefits for present and future generations.