Economic-Ecological Principles and the Question of Mineral Waters in Brazil: A Propositional Analysis

Abstract

The present study addresses the issue of mineral waters in Brazil, its institutional problem, and the consequences and conflicts arising from its irrational exploitation. As a solution to these problems and conflicts, it is proposed to integrate these mineral waters and their different types in the management of water resources and the application of guiding economic and ecological principles as in the case of the conception of post-normal science and the precautionary principle. To meet the objective, the authors opted for an exploratory and bibliographical research regarding the adopted procedure. It is concluded that the implementation of an institutional change will allow a participative and polycentric management, mainly at the level of the hydrographic basin committees, which will contribute to the application of the two mentioned principles and a sustainable management of this resource. However, there is a need for improvements in the national water resources policy to more effectively cover groundwater in which mineral waters are embedded.