Perception of social actors regarding the use, protection, and governance of groundwater: a case study in Bauru, Agudos e Piratininga municipalities (SP)

Published
2026-10-02
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14295/ras.v40i2.30403
Keywords: Environmental impacts, Environmental law, Integrated water resources management, Global Water Partnership, Concept maps Gestão integrada de recursos hídricos, Global Water Partnership, Impactos ambientais, Legislação ambiental, Mapas conceituais

    Authors

  • Monise Terra Cerezini Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal – Brasil
  • Juliana Sobreira Arguelho Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal – Brasil
  • Andrea Coelho de Figueiredo Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal – Brasil
  • Isabela de Medeiros da Silva Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal – Brasil
  • Josué Jean Daniel Etienne Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal – Brasil
  • Luciana Cordeiro de Souza-Fernandes Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo – Brasil
  • Alexandre Martins Fernandes Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, São Paulo – Brasil
  • Gabriel Barbosa de Melo Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo – Brasil
  • Patricia dos Santos Mesquita Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal – Brasil
  • Erika Germanos University of Victoria, British Columbia – Canadá
  • Maria Helena Novais Universidade de Évora, Évora – Portugal
  • Ana Isabel da Silva Mendes Universidade de Évora, Évora – Portugal
  • Maria Manuela Morais Universidade de Évora, Évora – Portugal
  • Carlos Hiroo Saito Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal – Brasil

Abstract

Nearly half of the world's population depends on groundwater. However, its recharge is naturally slow, making some aquifers, in practice, a non-renewable resource on a human scale. Despite this, the "invisibility" of groundwater contributes to low social awareness and challenges in the formulation and acceptance of regulatory instruments. This study investigated the perceptions of social actors and water resource users regarding the use, protection, and governance of groundwater in the municipalities of Bauru, Agudos, and Piratininga (SP), considering perceived conflicts, land use practices, and positions related to management and regulatory instruments aimed at protecting aquifers. The research was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, developed based on the Global Water Partnership's IWRM Toolbox, structured around four pillars: enabling environment, institutions and participation, management instruments, and financing. The data (n = 132) were collected between January and May 2024, with guaranteed anonymity and ethical compliance. The analyses combined descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations between profile and perceptions using the chi-square test and Cramer's V coefficient, as well as content analysisand concept maps for open-ended responses. The results indicate a high level of consensus on the need for legal protection, technical planning, and institutional investment. The main perceived pressures include poor sanitation, intensive agriculture, industrial/commercial activities, irregular water extraction, and disordered urbanization. In general, respondents reject the idea that environmental regulations hinder development, suggesting a favorable context for strengthening integrated management instruments and territorial planning aimed at protecting aquifers.

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How to Cite
Cerezini, M. T., Arguelho, J. S., Figueiredo, A. C. de, Silva, I. de M. da, Etienne, J. J. D., Souza-Fernandes, L. C. de, … Saito, C. H. (2026). Perception of social actors regarding the use, protection, and governance of groundwater: a case study in Bauru, Agudos e Piratininga municipalities (SP). Águas Subterrâneas, 40(2), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.14295/ras.v40i2.30403