The Water Producer Project in the Ribeirao Pipiripau Hydrographic Basin from the standpoint of the responsive regulation theory

Resumen

[Purpose] The proposed article analyses the implementation of responsive regulation measures by the National Water Agency (ANA) and the Water, Energy and Basic Sanitation Regulatory Agency of the Federal District (Adasa) in the water resources management process of the hydrographic area of Ribeirão Pipiripau, in the Federal District, with the development of the Water Producer Program in the Pipiripau Project, which aims at the conservation and efficient and rational use of water, as well as the resolution of conflicts for the use of water in the region.
[Methodology/approach/design] The methodology adopted will be the analysis of the text “The experience of the Water Producer Project in the Pipiripau Hydrographic Basin.”, which reports results of the project, accumulated over five years, and, based on the empirical data of the experience, the extent to which the regulatory instruments adopted in the project meet the regulatory parameters of the Responsive Regulation Theory will be analyzed, especially in the light of the responsive theories of Neil Gunninhgham and Darren Sinclair (1998,1999); and John Braithwaite (2006). Thus, the conceptual approach on tripartism, incentives and voluntarism model, as well as aspects and concepts of the theory of intelligent regulation, will guide the hypothesis of the application of responsive theory in the case study and, in general terms, in the Brazilian regulatory model.
[Findings] Although most of the analysis and theories on regulation argue that there is a certain - or total - lack of implementation of an effectively responsive regulation in the Brazilian experience, it is possible to identify the application of measures with responsive aspects, to a greater or lesser extent, in the results obtained by regulatory bodies in the Water Producer Program in the Pipiripau Project. This time, it is possible to observe how the responsive implementation generated potentially promising results for the regulation, maintenance and recovery of water resources in the Ribeirão Pipiripau watershed.