Exploring the key issues and stakeholders associated with the application of rainwater systems within the Amazon Region

Abstract

This paper presents a case study from the Amazon region of Brazil that explores stakeholder influence over the design and implementation of rainwater harvesting systems. This explorative study is based on the application of Social Network Analysis (SNA). A series of interviews were undertaken with experts in the field and the data was coded and analysed. A stakeholder's map is presented in an attempt to summarise the study’s main findings and to graphically illustrate the key stakeholder influences. The primary outcome of this exercise was the identification of the key participants and challenges associated with the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems. This exercise also highlighted the lack of interaction between some stakeholders and the canalization of decision-making powers by a small number of agencies. The scope of the study was limited to a specific geographical region and is therefore context specific. Due to the constraints of this preliminary study, the full potential of SNA has not fully been explored in this analysis. The research has identified some redundancies with regards to the management of water in this region. It has also highlighted other issues associated with ‘lack of inclusion’ within the decision-making process and planning for the implementation of rainwater systems. The study is considered to be novel within this geographical region. The use of such methods to map stakeholders and to graphically represent influential relationships, as well as the identification of previously unseen key actors should aid future attempts to implement rainwater harvesting schemes within this context.