Water scarcity in the Metropolitan Area of Campinas between 2013 and 2015: the perspective of a socially constructed disaster

Abstract In Brazil, specifically in the Southeast region, the low rainfall indexes that started in 2013 and were intensified during 2014 and 2015 characterized a prolonged drought, resulting in a water scarcity crisis, a socially constructed disaster. One of the most affected areas was the Metropolitan Area of Campinas. The aim of this work was to present elements in order to discuss the water scarcity that occurred in the Metropolitan Area of Campinas from the perspective of socially constructed disasters. Based on an analysis of semi-structured interviews carried out with actors involved in the management of water resources, it was possible to observe that emergency actions that disregard the social construction of the problem had little effect on conflict resolution.