The impact of the water charging on the industrial users' behavior in Paraíba, Capivari and Jundiaí river basin

This article discusses the impact of the water charge in PCJ Basin on the industrial sector behavior, regarding the implementation of practices of water rationalization in the productive process. The methodological procedure included in-depth interviews with multiple stakeholders, including representatives of industry, public sector, river basin's committee and non-governmental organizations. Findings show a low efficiency on the implementation process of the water charge, even if it results on encouragement of the rational use of water in the sector. The main factor is the reduced price of the water charge that does not encourage deep changes in the management of water resources. Besides that, the water charge generates negligible financial resources towards the investments needs for preservation of the water quality in the region.