MAD and its challenges for water governance: Reflections on the Brazilian reality

Abstract

While the MAD (Modular, Adaptive, and Decentralized) water supply system emphasizes governance for equity, justice, and sustainability, there are significant hurdles to overcome. Community engagement, the differences between decision- making processes and execution, and how to promote collaborative and collective practices in the context of unequal power relations are issues to consider. The experience on SISAR (Integrated Rural Sanitation System) in Brazil provides insights into addressing some of the challenges presented before. However, it is necessary to pay attention to water quality control, water treatment fragility, managing growing energy costs, and the need for supportive legislation to protect collaborative management systems and strengthen their foundations. The overall message is that while decentralized systems offer opportunities, careful attention must be paid to these challenges to ensure successful implementation and sustainable water management.