WATER PERMITS & CHARGES DEPARTMENT

The Water Permits and Charges Department (WP&CD) is accountable for the technical assessment of all water permit requests related to rivers under national jurisdiction. The WPCD prepares conclusive technical reports on the requests, that guide decision by ANA's Board of Directors on the requests.

The WPCP is also responsible for providing training water management organizations at the national river basins on water permits procedures and mechanisms as well as to propose deadlines for the enrollment of existing water users that are not dully legalized.

Law 9433/1997, establishes that water is a scarce resource with economic value. This approach comprises the incorporation of regulatory tools such as water permits and economic instruments such as water charges. As water charges are introduced at the river basins, by decision of the basin committees,, individuals as well as polluting firms internalize the costs associated to water use and pollution. Water charges are therefore more than just a source of revenue, they are incentives for the socio-environmental sustainability of the water resources.

MAIN PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

The Paraiba do Sul Project aims at establishing sound basis for water charges in the Paraiba do Sul river basin through the enrollment of the basin's water users from all segments.