PARADIGMS OF WATER SCARCITY AND ABUNDANCE: EFFECTS OF WATER AVAILABILITY ON THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DYNAMICS OF THE MÃE D’ÁGUA RESERVOIR, COREMAS, PARAÍBA, BRAZIL

Abstract

Water availability is a strategic factor for the socioeconomic development of the semi-arid region of Paraíba, particularly in areas whose productive activities depend on water stored in reservoirs. In this context, this study aims to analyze variations in the water storage levels of the Coremas and Mãe D’Água reservoirs and discuss their potential implications for regional economic dynamics, with an emphasis on the municipality of Coremas, Paraíba, Brazil. The research is descriptive in nature and adopts a quantitative and qualitative approach based on secondary water storage data and scientific literature on water resource management in semi-arid regions. Previous studies have identified substantial fluctuations in stored water volumes, with low water availability recorded between 2017 and 2018, followed by significant recovery in 2020. These variations highlight the influence of irregular rainfall on regional water security and underscore the importance of reservoirs for human water supply and the maintenance of water-dependent productive activities. Water scarcity may create challenges for economic planning and the continuity of these activities, whereas the recovery of reservoir storage levels may provide greater security for different water uses. It is concluded that continuous reservoir monitoring and integrated water resource planning are essential to reducing regional vulnerability to drought and promoting sustainable development. However, measuring the direct economic effects of water availability requires further analysis of municipal socioeconomic indicators.