Brazil - Paraná Water Security Project

Overview & Synopsis

Paraná Water Security Project for Brazil has the development objectives to strengthen the State of Paraná’s capacity to collaboratively manage water security risks in a changing climate and to increase people’s resilience to those risks in targeted areas. Component 1: Strengthening climate-informed water resources management (WRM) modernizes monitoring networks, information and decision-support systems, and planning instruments, and improves governance. Sub-component 1.1 modernizes surface- and groundwater and climate monitoring; upgrades water quality laboratories; develops climate-informed State and river basin water resources plans and urban water source plans; advances hydrological and hydrogeological studies; regularizes and enforces water rights; and expands dam classification and registration. Sub-component 1.2 strengthens the State’s Water Resource Management System (SEGRH) through capacity building, a climate risk–focused water communication plan to foster compliance with WRM instruments, and implementation of water use and effluent discharge fees at basin level. Sub-component 1.3 reduces urban and peri-urban erosion by integrating nature-based and conventional drainage solutions and restoring degraded land to increase resilience to intensifying rainfall. Component 2: Enhancing water security in agriculture and reducing associated risks builds institutional capacity, innovation, and on-farm adoption of climate-resilient, sustainable practices. Sub-component 2.1 strengthens the Secretariat for Agriculture and Food Supply (SEAB) and its linked institutions—the Rural Development Institute of Paraná (IDR) and the Agricultural Defense Agency of Paraná (ADAPAR)—by modernizing applied research and laboratories, expanding and training the technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) network, introducing a sustainable production certification protocol, and scaling risk-based monitoring and enforcement of soil and agrochemical use. Sub-component 2.2 increases water security for family farmers in the Northwest through communication and outreach, preparation and implementation of Integrated Farm Plans (PIP), and matching grants for climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture technologies, efficient irrigation where appropriate, and restoration of riparian vegetation, legal reserves, and springs, all supported by monitoring and evaluation. Sub-component 2.3 reduces agriculture’s contribution to water security risks in selected urban water source watersheds through participatory multisectoral watershed plans, farm demonstration sites, PIP preparation and implementation with grants for on-farm conservation and water and sanitation improvements, strengthened command-and-control and incentive mechanisms, and upgrading erosion-prone rural roads; it may be complemented by Payment for Environmental Services (PES). Component 3: Reducing water security risk for universal water supply and sanitation (WSS) access addresses risks at urban sources and advances sustainable rural services. Sub-component 3.1 supports the Paraná Water and Sanitation Company (SANEPAR) to implement its Water Safety Plan and climate plan by restoring and managing Iguaçu River floodplain wetlands, constructing and operating an additional drainage canal and complementary macro-drainage and park improvements, strengthening quantitative and qualitative source monitoring, preparing studies and instruments to reduce pollution and turbidity, and implementing Emergency Action Plans for key dams. Sub-component 3.2 develops a State policy and plan for universal and sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS), with pilots that implement collective rural water and on-site sanitation solutions and management models that enhance technical, financial, and climate resilience, including inclusive participation of women and youth. Component 4: Project Management strengthens coordination, procurement, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and environmental and social management within the State Secretariat of Planning (SEPL) for timely and efficient implementation.