Shared actions for use and conservation of Billings and Barra Bonita reservoirs

Abstract

The water reservoirs, in addition to guaranteeing the potential of hydroelectric plants, contribute to the public supply of many cities located close to their water domains. In the perspective of a qualitative research, this article aims to critically analyze the shared management of the Billings reservoir and the Barra Bonita reservoir, both located in the State of São Paulo, seeking to understand the conflicts that involve the use of the reservoirs and to analyze the factors that result in the main environmental liabilities involved. The general hypothesis supports the idea that shared management can subsidize the reduction of environmental liabilities in the reservoirs. This is a research carried out through the analysis of actions performed by companies controlled by public and private authorities. The analysis of the results was guided by theoretical and experimental references. As a methodology, interviews were applied to representatives of Emae, Cetesb, Sabesp and AES-Tietê. The results identified difficulties in conducting a shared management between users and operators of the reservoirs, and from such analysis, it will be possible to develop measures that reduce the environmental liabilities that affect the reservoirs.