Gestão de recursos hídricos da Paraíba : o caso do açude Epitácio Pessoa (o Boqueirão)

Abstract

The Epitácio Pessoa Dam, popularly known as ""O Boqueirão"", is located in the Paraíba State within the Paraíba River Hydrographic Basin, located in areas of the semi-arid Paraíba, where the lowest rainfall rates in Brazil are recorded. Its construction took place in the 50s, by the National Department of Works Against the Droughts. The region lives constant drought periods, in which the last drought was considered the worst in recent years, beginning in 2012 and reaching its collapse in 2014. In 2017 the dam reached 2.19 of its volume. Boqueirão is responsible for the water supply of important cities in the state, such as Campina Grande, demonstrating the need to use the management tools predicted in the National Water Resources Policy as a way to seek efficient and conscious water management. In this context, the study was constituted with the objective of analyzing the implementation of the management tools provided for in the National Water Resources Policy (PNRH) in Epitácio Pessoa dam. For the composition of the research, the exploratory and descriptive technique was used to search and collect data, carrying out bibliographic and case studies, together with the competent bodies and their officials, to express their opinion on the management of these water resources. Thus, aspects of water scarcity at a global and national level were analyzed, followed by the analysis of the water resources management in the state of Paraíba, as well as its geographic characteristics and the politics and domination of its resources. The following approach characterized the object of analysis, the ""O Boqueirão"" dam, and its institutional management structure. Finally, the application of the water management instruments in the dam was analyzed, seeking to conclude whether the measures adopted have been efficient and effective. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that, although the application of the management instruments in the Epitacio Pessoa Dam is being made correctly, the need to comply strictly with the legal provisions makes the shared management between ANA and EASA be troubled, sometimes confusing and create an environment of constant conflict of competence and excessive bureaucracy.