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Managing water in a peri-urban catchment areaThe Alto Tietê Cabeiceras is a complex catchment area in the water supply system for the Sao Paulo metropolis, including huge hydraulic infrastructures (five reservoirs, large channels and pumping station) covering several municipalities. The water quality in the final reservoir is constantly being degraded by eutrophication, which results in increased treatment costs. Studies have shown that this pollution is due mainly to the modalities of managing water transfers between reservoirs, whilst traditionally the managers accuse illegal urban development and diffuse agriculture. In this context, a four-stage ComMod approach was applied as part of the dialogue within a cactchment committee about integrated management of the water resource, by addressing water quality and small scale agriculture aspects:
The approach helped participants understand better the meaning of the "integrated water" management concept at the scale of a catchment area, by giving them a chance to analyse the interdependences, particularly in terms of water allocation and changes in its quality. It also drew attention to the agricultural and rural issue in this peri-urban region. The game appeared to be an interesting way of introducing the complexity of managing a catchment area to newcomers to the discussions bodies and of preparing the stakeholders in the use of simulation tools calibrated to reality. For further information: A seminar presentation: (Clavel et al., 2008)
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