Water Governance and Pressure-State-Impact-Response indicators in Tracuateua River Basin (Pará-Brazil)

Abstract

Watersheds associated with fluvial and fluvio-marine environmental systems occur in Eastern Amazon and are characteristic of Northeastern Pará state. An example is the Tracuateua river basin that presents all the indicators of the land use and occupation process typical of this kind of environment. The Pressure-State-Impact-Response evaluation was used to understand the hydrographic basin dynamic and the aspects of Water Governance. The investigation was attended by residential users, farmers, and animal breeders, besides the secondary information on sanitation and water consumption provided by state and federal agencies. The use of the cluster method allowed the identification of the main factors of Pressure-State-Impact and those Responses applied.  The results indicated that the Pressure factors are operating (the intensification of land cover change and inadequate environmental sanitation), however the impacts generated need to be better quantified. For water security, is essential: the water monitoring system (qualitative and quantitative); the adequate definition of the total consumed by the productive sector; the ecological water demands; the best characterization of multiple uses; and institutional strengthening, with the integration of State - Municipality and implementation of existing Plans that aim at territorial planning. All these factors are essential for water governance and efficiency of the management and regulation process.