Strategies to improve access to water and revitalize watersheds
The project aims to contribute to the development of technical and managerial knowledge and capabilities for the formulation of strategies and the improvement of actions aimed at improving access to quality water for human consumption – using brackish water or deep well desalination technology – incorporating social, environmental and technical care – and the revitalization of the basins – integrating actions that promote the sustainable use of natural resources, the improvement of socio-environmental conditions, the increase in the quantity and the improvement of the quality of water for different uses.
Objective:
Contribute to the formulation of strategies and the development of actions aimed at improving access to water through the sustainable management of desalination systems and the revitalization of watersheds.
Project Data:
NbS Data:
Country:
Brazil
4745-00
IICA Code:
US$3,391,102.00
Amount:
In progress
State:
2016
Start year:
2024
End year:
Yes
NbS application:
How has IICA integrated NbS into its projects?
The project integrated the principles of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into its actions by "contributing to the formulation of strategies and the development of actions aimed at improving access to water through the sustainable management of desalination systems and the revitalization of watersheds.
Through actions for the sustainable use of brackish and saline groundwater and the concentrate resulting from the desalination process for animal watering and irrigation in communities in the states of Sergipe, Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia and Paraíba, the project does not yet directly contemplate a BNS, but addresses the following key aspects of Nature-Based Solutions:
1 - Addresses global challenges:
Directly addresses water scarcity and food insecurity in the semi-arid; responds to climate change with adaptive solutions; acts in vulnerable communities, promoting rural resilience.
2 - It is based on natural systems:
Biosaline agriculture uses crops adapted to saline environments; values the use of halophyte or salinity-tolerant species, which is based on natural ecosystem interactions.
3 - Reduces environmental impacts:
The project recognizes the risks of inadequate disposal of saline concentrate from desalinators and proposes solutions to avoid soil and groundwater salinization (use of impermeable tanks and controlled agricultural use).
4 - Provides multiple benefits to the environment and society:
Promotes food production with marginal waters; reduces dependence on conventional water sources; values local knowledge and encourages sustainable practices.
For the action alone to be characterized as a BNS, explicit biodiversity recovery and conservation objectives and results would be necessary, beyond the use of marginal waters for agriculture.
This was done through: use of natural systems and ecosystemic processes, such as the use of salinity-tolerant plants and management of the soil for infiltration and salinization control; reduction of environmental impacts, such as the improper disposal of desalination concentrate, which was reused for production; valorization of sustainable practices and green infrastructure (e.g., use of waterproofed tanks, waterproofed tanks, green infrastructure, etc.): use of waterproofed tanks, adapted forages, biological management of soils) as alternatives to traditional solutions.
What lessons learned can you share about working with farmers to implement NbS?
From this technical experience, we perceive that farmers can contribute to the mitigation of natural disasters such as floods, by implementing the conservation of vegetation cover on their properties as a Nature-based Solution (NBS). With the implementation of conservationist practices in land use and the preservation of native vegetation remnants, the vegetation cover of the soil is increased and, consequently, the infiltration capacity of rainwater, mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
What examples of innovation in NbS can you share from your experience at IICA?
The use of recycled wood in direct environmental restoration activities is an example of NbS innovation. Its implementation avoids the more common use of native wood in enclosures, thus contributing to the preservation of the remaining native vegetation.
How are you promoting NbS education and training among farmers?
Visual resources were produced with the results of the studies conducted to disseminate information. Among the materials produced is the Disaster Management Manual, which provides inputs for the field study, the management of related activities, and the continuous education and training of protection and civil defense agents, in addition to providing information for society in general.