PERFORMANCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO STATE WATERSHED COMMITTEES FOR THE PARAÍBA DO SUL RIVER BASIN: CASE STUDY ON SEWAGE-RELATED INITIATIVES

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the performance of four watershed committees (WCs) for the Paraíba do Sul River Basin between 2010 and 2020, regarding investments in sewage treatment in the 57 municipalities of Rio de Janeiro state in the region. It was found that 3 of the 4 WCs do not comply with Rio de Janeiro state law no. 5.234/2008, which stipulates that 70% of funds from the sanitation sector be invested in sewage collection and treatment initiatives. An in-depth analysis was conducted, with a focus on the main reasons for failing to implement these initiatives, based on data regarding municipal participation and adaptive strategies adopted by WCs. The main results centered on poor municipal participation and construction of adaptative strategies. The research is exploratory and qualitative, using four case studies. Documentary research techniques were applied to institutional websites