Publisher's Synopsis
This study looks at water quality management in Brazil as it affects both the users of raw water and those concerned with the wastewater disposal. It focuses on three areas: water resources management, water supply and sanitation, and environmental management.;Historically, water resource management in Brazil, as in many other developing countries, has relied on heavy investments in highly visible, large-scale water infrastructure projects. These projects, however, have often shown disappointing overall returns, resulting in little improvement in water quality and a negligible impact on poverty reduction.;This study argues that effective water resource management will require first, better management of existing infrastructures. The authors also stress the importance of establishing clear water quality goals for each river basin in the country-goals based on social objectives such as expanding service quality to the poorest or improving environment quality.;Both a historical review of water projects in Brazil from which lessons can be drawn and a tool for helping identify priorities going forward, this study will be of interest to anyone with an interest in water resource development.
