Water Resources: Economic, Social and Environmental Interface

Abstract

The water exerts a great influence on all forms of life on the planet. From an economic standpoint, water is a renewable natural resource, today, considered limited and scarce, but it has a major economic, social and environmental value. It is known that the amount of water available for human consumption, drinking water is found at a very low percentage on the planet. Studies show that from the moment that arises scarcity, water will add economic value and thus becomes a resource.

The economy seeks the allocation of scarce resources, so water resources are an important part of their studies. The various uses of water and the dependence of human societies and ecosystems for this feature is becoming the reason for many conflicts over its use due to their lack, caused by the scarcity. If this feature is used sensibly, so that sustainable development occurs, appear many benefits to society. But will this feature may end? And how much is your loss?

This article aims to address a broad literature review on the environmental, social and economic aspects of water resources. Involving the amount present in Brazil and worldwide water, water uses and economic value studies. It also discusses the characteristics of resource allocation and rationalization of it, and the demand versus availability.