This article aimed to record the process of implementation of the charging system for water use in the territory of Rio de Janeiro State, since the pioneering experience of charging use in federal rivers (ANA-CEIVAP). In the following year, charging in Rio de Janeiro state waters configured a singular experience in the country, especially because it started simultaneously throughout the state. In spite of the claims initially directed to the implantation of the pricing process, in the last years the State has greatly improved in structuring a management model based on the committee-agency-collection tripod. The major challenges today are focused on two key aspects for the management of water resources: (i) to give agility/flexibility in the application of collected funds and (ii) to induce more rational water by public water services use in regions characterized by chronic shortages.
bulk water use charges; rational use of water; State of Rio de Janeiro
