Role of economic instruments for environmental management : water charges in the Paraia do Sul River Basin, Brazil

Knowledge about water demand patterns is fundamental for evaluation of the impact of water charges as well as for the assessment of any demand-side management policy instrument. This two-page policy brief draws from a study project aimed at investigating water use patterns in the industrial and agricultural sectors, so as to inform water policy implementation in Brazil. Knowledge about the determinants of water reuse is required to assess the potential of water charges in inducing water saving investments