The article discusses the relationship between water resources management and the exercise of citizenship in Brazil. At first, it presents a descriptive framework on water distribution and problems concerned to population growth. On the second part, it describes water management features and innovations introduced by the Water Law (nº 94.333/97). On the third part, it argues in favor of an integrated and collective public management of waterand a sociotechnical negotiation. Finally, it discusses some difficulties and limitations to implement and consolidate a decentralized, participative and sustainable water resources policy, as well as mechanisms to overcome or minimize such difficulties and limitations.
Brazil; exercise of citizenship; integrated and collective management; sociothecnical negotiation; water resources