Southeast Coastal Hydrographic Region

The Southeast Coastal Hydrographic Region has huge national relevance due to its high population contingent and economic importance resulting from its large and diversified industrial zone. This region is located is one of the most complex and developed areas in the country, however it has a huge potential for issues with respect to the use of water resources, as it has among the greatest demands for water but also one of the smallest available water resources. Due to its scarcity, particularly in the Fluminense and Paulista coastal areas, water gains strategic importance and meeting demand in a sustainable manner becomes a challenge, as it complicates the already difficult task of promoting economic and population growth whilst maintaining environmental conservation, carried out via management methods which allow multiple water uses.

This overview of the Southeast Coastal Hydrographic Region groups together information under the following main topics: general characterization, data on water availability and uses, socioeconomic data, basic sanitation indicators, and a synthesis of the current issues and the aims for the future. A schematic map detailing the region's problems and opportunities is presented jointly with its high priority aspects, which also details the institutional picture concerning the water issues in the aforementioned region.

Figure 1 The Southeast Coastal Hydrographic Area