WATER & SOIL CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT

The Water and Soil Conservation Department is accountable for developing the revitalization of the river basins; the conservation and rational use of water resources

The river basin conservation strategy aims at protecting and restoring environmental quality, very specially the water ecosystems. Most of the water quality and quantity problems can be either prevented or solved in a more effective and efficient way when dealt with at the basin level, taking into account both the stakeholder and the activities taking place in the river basin as a whole.

Considering the hydrological interdependence between and surface water these must be subject to an integrated management strategy that consider the use of groundwater resources by optimizing its use and this department works in close connection with other governmental units responsible for groundwater resources.

MAIN PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

This project aims at putting in place a practical integrated management system in the Alto Paraguay and river basin. It is being implemented with the participation of ANA, UNEP, OAS, the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul with the participation of several civil society organizations.

The São Francisco GEF Project aims at contributing to the environmental sustainability of the River Basin and Coastal Zone development. It provides the technical and financial support that is required for the implementation of the integrated management system's strategic actions.

The Aquifer Guarani Project aims at the preparation of a technical, institutional and legal model intended at providing a sound and coordinated management of the aquifer's water resources between the participating countries: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. 

The São Francisco River Basin Committee aims at promoting a decentralized and participative water management system in the São Francisco basin by resolving water conflicts and promoting multiple water uses.

The Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin Committee is composed by representatives of the central and state level governments (Minas Gerais and São Paulo states), municipal governments (75 municipalities whose territories are partially or totally within the basin area), private sector and legitimate representatives of civil society organizations dealing with water issues.

The RISF is an Information Network on the São Francisco River Basin. It is an ANA's institutional building initiative sponsored by the GEF, UNEP and the OAE. It aims at the creation of a knowledge-base by putting together different organizations that currently generate knowledge on the São Francisco basin, that would be willing to share both their responsibilities and the costs involved in the knowledge creation process, so as to make their common knowledge available to society as a whole.