Sustentabilidade hídrica e desenvolvimento regional: o papel das barragens subterrâneas no semiárido brasileiro

Abstract

Regional development in areas like the Brazilian Semi-arid region is intrinsically linked to water sustainability. Water scarcity not only limits economic growth but also negatively impacts public health and exacerbates social inequalities. In this context, the implementation of sustainable water resource management strategies, such as the construction of underground dams and the adoption of agricultural practices adapted to local climatic conditions, becomes essential to promote sustainable socioeconomic development in these regions. Underground dams, in particular, stand out as a water resource management tool and as an alternative, low-cost technology for construction and maintenance, being a hydro-environmental work that aims to meet water demands for human, animal, and agricultural consumption, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. They interrupt the flow of surface and groundwater through an impermeable wall built transversally to the direction of the water flow. Rainwater infiltrates slowly, forming or raising the water table, which will later be used by plants. In the face of the challenges imposed by prolonged drought and the economic vulnerability of rural communities, the importance of intensifying rainwater harvesting and storage becomes evident, not only as a measure to mitigate crop losses but also as a mechanism to significantly increase the income of rural communities and promote sustainable economic development in the region. Strengthening these practices, combined with public policies aimed at the Brazilian Semi-arid region, can transform the reality of the region, making it more resilient to climatic adversities, promoting water security, and contributing to the reduction of regional inequalities. In this sense, the main objective of this work is to review the literature on the role of underground dams in promoting water sustainability and regional development in the Brazilian Semi-arid region, covering the advances, limitations, and opportunities of this technology in the context of water resource management.