In recent years, sustainable thinking has been gradually recognized and accepted by more and more users, enterprises, and stakeholders. However, in daily life, there is often a gap between the value of users’ pursuit of sustainable lifestyles and their behavior habits. Also, the connection between different stakeholders is often ignored. The project started by the observation of unsustainable water usage habits of some tenants in the Växjö local housing company Växjöbostäder, and investigated the gaps in the water supply/toll system of Växjö municipality for some apartment tenants and the limitations of current solutions. Therefore, it is necessary to find a more effective solution. The author attempts to guide and change the user’s behavior through design interventions led by digital user experience design, connect the gap between the user and the system, and provide a more sustainable choice. At the same time, as a precedent, this project’s attempt to apply sustainable behavioral interventions to the field of digital user experience products at the system level can also provide some reference for similar projects or designs that may appear in the future. The aim of this project is trying to find solutions to bridge the existing gap between the water management system and the apartment users’ water consumption behavior. The project studies the relevant theories of behavior, analyzes the causes of motivations that lead to behavioral and habits changing, the methods of digital user experience design, and the theory of building sustainable systems. Action research has been used as a methodological guide to design processes, analysis, and reflection. The final design outcome “Drops” is an application based on mobile platforms that develop sustainable water-using habits. The application associates gamification motivation mechanisms, behavioral habit interventions, community social sharing, and the process of using the application with the user’s actual behavior, promotes the formation of user sustainable behavior and inspires users to a sustainable society thinking. From a hierarchical analysis of the system, “Drops” connects different stakeholders in the municipal water supply system, facilitating communications between tenants and communities to achieve positive interactions that promote sustainable behavior.  At the end of this article, the author analyzed the project outcome from the perspective of Växjöbostäder, one of the stakeholders and a possible product distributor, elaborated on the possible advantages of the design for the company’s ecological sustainability and the possibility of the company deploying this application in the market. Also, the author also analyzed and evaluated this project from the perspective of the product itself and different stakeholders, and explained the current limitations and the possibility of future development.

Vatten är avgörande för allt liv på jorden och utgör FN:s sjätte globala hållbarhetsmål ”rent vatten och sanitet”. Denna rapport syftar på att undersöka vattenbesparing inom hushåll genom en fallstudie av Oaxen och Sandön med tillhörande kommuner Södertälje och Värmdö. Genom litteraturstudier kartlades befintliga vattenbesparingsåtgärder och kommunernas vattenarbete undersöktes både genom litteraturstudier samt intervjuer. En enkätstudie genomfördes även för att kartlägga individers beteende, kunskap och inställning till vattenbesparingsåtgärder. Det erhållna resultatet från enkätstudien visade på en positiv inställning till vattenbesparingsåtgärder och många individer har en stor medvetenhet kring sitt beteende relaterat till vattenanvändning. Litteraturstudien och intervjuerna visade vidare att det i dagsläget finns få riktlinjer relaterat till vattenbesparing och befintliga riktlinjer fokuserar framförallt på ramar för vattenanvändning snarare än att införa rekommendationer kring olika vattenbesparingsåtgärder. Slutligen rekommenderas snålspolande munstycken (sparstrålsamlare) och snålspolande toaletter som de bästa åtgärderna baserat på vattenbesparing, installationskostnad, kostnadsbesparing och individers inställning. / Water is crucial for all life on earth and constitutes UN’s sixth sustainable development goal ”Clean Water and Sanitation”. This report aims to study water conservation in households through a case study of the two islands Oaxen and Sandön with their associated municipalities Södertälje and Värmdö. Existing water conservation measures were identified through literature studies and the municipalities efforts in water management were studied through both literature studies and interviews. A survey was also conducted to study individuals’ behaviour, knowledge and view on water conservation measures.  The result obtained from the survey study showed a positive view to water conservation measures and many respondents showed great awareness regarding their behaviour related to water usage. Furthermore, the literature study and the interviews convey that there currently are few guidelines related to water conservation. Existing guidelines mainly focuses on limitations for water usage rather than introducing recommendations on different technical water conservation measures. In conclusion, low-flush nozzles and toilets are recommended since they are considered to be the best water conservation measures based on installation cost, cost savings, water conservation and individuals’ views. Recirculating shower and usage of rainwater are to be considered for those having the possibility to make a bigger investment due to the water conservation being great.

A crescente preocupação com questões ambientais, contemporaneamente, pode ser entendida como uma tendência nebulosa, resultado de uma expressão muito rica de significado e muito mais conveniente para nós, que vivemos sem o distanciamento histórico, pois torna menos definitiva, sob uma perspectiva futura, às adjetivações realizadas, expressão esta identificada como globalização. A globalização conduz a uma natureza propagandista, direcionada à preservação e não à conservação da porção bio-geo-física do meio ambiente, que se refere, em especial, neste trabalho às águas contidas nos rios. A natureza propagandista das questões ambientais, nos faz crer que muitos dos impactos ambientais em um curso d’água, são devidos ao uso das águas e, principalmente quando este uso é para a navegação. A contenda do impacto ambiental, devido ao uso d’água para navegação, não é assunto esgotado quando se aborda somente o Gerenciamento do Recurso Hídrico, ele vai muito além, tem sua origem na Bacia Hidrográfica e, portanto é abordado no Gerenciamento da Bacia Hidrográfica. No desenvolvimento desta tese, será possível perceber, que entre os vários modais de transporte, a navegação fluvial, é a menos impactante ambientalmente, pois, até a via é de origem natural e não antropogênica, como em alguns outros modais. A necessidade da execução de obras hidroviárias, pode ser entendida em algumas situações como parte integrante de um Programa de Mitigação de Impactos Ambientais, não no rio, mas sim na bacia hidrográfica, que pelo não atendimento ou pela inexistência de um plano diretor, sofreu uma ocupação desordenada, resultando em inúmeros impactos ambientais nas porções do meio ambiente. Os capítulos apresentados a seguir, no corpo desta tese, estão vinculados entre si, pois, entendemos que só o estudo simultâneo nos permitirá obter a minimização dos impactos ambientais na bacia hidrográfica, bem como a minimização dos impactos ambientais quando da execução das obras hidroviárias. / The growing concern about the environmental questions nowadays, can be understood as a nebulousness tendency, a result of a very rich expression of meaning and more convenient to us, who live without the historical distance, because it makes less definite under a future perspective, such expression is identified as globalization. Globalization conducts to a propagandist nature, towards preservation and not the conservation of the bio-geo-physics of the environment, that refers specially in this work about the water in rivers. The propagandist nature of the environmental questions, make us believe that most of the environment impacts in a flow of water, are due to water usage and mainly when this usage is navigation. The dispute of the environmental impact, due to the usage of water to navigation, is not a exhausted subject when talking only about the Hydric Resources Management, it is beyond, it has its origin at the River Basin and is discussed at the River Basin Management. In this theses it will be possible to notice that among the several means of transportation, the fluvial shipping is the less impactant because even the mean is natural and not anthropogenic like in other means. The necessity of hydrographic basin can be understood in some situations as a part of a Environmental Impacts Mitigation Program, not only in the river but in the river basin, that by the no consideration or because it does not exist a director plan, they suffered a disordered occupation, resulting in several environmental impacts. The chapters presented here are all interconnected, because we understand that only the simultaneous study will allow us to get the decrease of impacts at the river basin, as well as the decrease the environmental impact when performing the hydrographic basin.

A crescente preocupação com questões ambientais, contemporaneamente, pode ser entendida como uma tendência nebulosa, resultado de uma expressão muito rica de significado e muito mais conveniente para nós, que vivemos sem o distanciamento histórico, pois torna menos definitiva, sob uma perspectiva futura, às adjetivações realizadas, expressão esta identificada como globalização. A globalização conduz a uma natureza propagandista, direcionada à preservação e não à conservação da porção bio-geo-física do meio ambiente, que se refere, em especial, neste trabalho às águas contidas nos rios. A natureza propagandista das questões ambientais, nos faz crer que muitos dos impactos ambientais em um curso d’água, são devidos ao uso das águas e, principalmente quando este uso é para a navegação. A contenda do impacto ambiental, devido ao uso d’água para navegação, não é assunto esgotado quando se aborda somente o Gerenciamento do Recurso Hídrico, ele vai muito além, tem sua origem na Bacia Hidrográfica e, portanto é abordado no Gerenciamento da Bacia Hidrográfica. No desenvolvimento desta tese, será possível perceber, que entre os vários modais de transporte, a navegação fluvial, é a menos impactante ambientalmente, pois, até a via é de origem natural e não antropogênica, como em alguns outros modais. A necessidade da execução de obras hidroviárias, pode ser entendida em algumas situações como parte integrante de um Programa de Mitigação de Impactos Ambientais, não no rio, mas sim na bacia hidrográfica, que pelo não atendimento ou pela inexistência de um plano diretor, sofreu uma ocupação desordenada, resultando em inúmeros impactos ambientais nas porções do meio ambiente. Os capítulos apresentados a seguir, no corpo desta tese, estão vinculados entre si, pois, entendemos que só o estudo simultâneo nos permitirá obter a minimização dos impactos ambientais na bacia hidrográfica, bem como a minimização dos impactos ambientais quando da execução das obras hidroviárias. / The growing concern about the environmental questions nowadays, can be understood as a nebulousness tendency, a result of a very rich expression of meaning and more convenient to us, who live without the historical distance, because it makes less definite under a future perspective, such expression is identified as globalization. Globalization conducts to a propagandist nature, towards preservation and not the conservation of the bio-geo-physics of the environment, that refers specially in this work about the water in rivers. The propagandist nature of the environmental questions, make us believe that most of the environment impacts in a flow of water, are due to water usage and mainly when this usage is navigation. The dispute of the environmental impact, due to the usage of water to navigation, is not a exhausted subject when talking only about the Hydric Resources Management, it is beyond, it has its origin at the River Basin and is discussed at the River Basin Management. In this theses it will be possible to notice that among the several means of transportation, the fluvial shipping is the less impactant because even the mean is natural and not anthropogenic like in other means. The necessity of hydrographic basin can be understood in some situations as a part of a Environmental Impacts Mitigation Program, not only in the river but in the river basin, that by the no consideration or because it does not exist a director plan, they suffered a disordered occupation, resulting in several environmental impacts. The chapters presented here are all interconnected, because we understand that only the simultaneous study will allow us to get the decrease of impacts at the river basin, as well as the decrease the environmental impact when performing the hydrographic basin.

Groundwater is often the most important source of drinking water. In recent decades, the environmental threats to this resource have increased dramatically, because of pollution, over usage and disturbed water balances. Climate change will affect the groundwater in coastal areas by sea-level rise and changes in precipitation and temperature. If seasonal variations in groundwater recharge and groundwater reservoirs changes it could lead to problems for drinking water supplies.  In coastal areas and archipelagos, there is a general lack of groundwater because of thin soil covers and limited storage capacities within the bedrock aquifers. When water abstraction in a well is too large in relation to the formation of groundwater the area can be affected by saltwater intrusion. More people are settling permanently in former summer-house areas, which mean higher pressure on groundwater as a drinking water resource. This development is under way on the island Tynningö in the Stockholm archipelago. Saltwater intrusion in wells has been investigated in collaboration with Södra Roslagens Miljö- och Hälsoskyddskontor (SRMH). The aim was to find out how many of the wells that have enhanced chloride concentrations (≥50 mg/l) and how different parameters affect the concentrations. The study is limited to houses where people live permanently. Water samples from 67 wells have been analyzed for chloride concentrations. Parameters that may affect the risk of saltwater intrusion, for example how deep the well is and its distance to the shoreline, are used to interpret the measured chloride concentrations. A comparison with previous chloride measurements is also made to evaluate how the problem has changed over time. Furthermore, measures to reduce water consumption and possibilities for the municipality to prevent problems with saltwater intrusion are discussed. The results show that 24 % of the wells have an enhanced chloride concentration (≥50 mg/l), which is in harmony with results from earlier studies in Tynningö and similar areas. This survey was conducted during winter; chloride concentrations in summer may therefore be higher. The result shows that all the investigated parameters have an influence on the chloride concentrations. Wells with enhanced chloride concentrations are slightly deeper, older, lower in the terrain, closer to the shoreline and the well bottom is located deeper below sea level. The number of people using the well also affects the risk of saltwater intrusion. / Grundvatten utgör ofta den viktigaste källan till dricksvatten. De senaste årtiondena har miljöhoten mot denna resurs ökat kraftigt till följd av föroreningar, överutnyttjande och rubbad vattenbalans. Klimatförändringarna kommer att påverka grundvattnet i kustområden genom havsnivåhöjning och förändrad nederbörd och temperatur. Om grundvattenbildningen och grundvattenmagasinens årstidsvariationer förändras kan det leda till problem för den enskilda dricksvattenförsörjningen. I kust- och skärgårdsområden råder det i allmänhet brist på grundvatten på grund av tunna jordtäcken och små lagringsmöjligheter i berggrunden. När vattenuttaget i en brunn blir för stort i förhållande till nybildningen av grundvatten kan området drabbas av saltvatteninträngning. I många tidigare fritidshusområden bosätter sig fler permanent, vilket innebär ett större tryck på grundvattnet. På Tynningö i Stockholms skärgård pågår en sådan utveckling och saltvatteninträngning i enskilda brunnar har därför undersökts i samarbete med Södra Roslagens Miljö- och Hälsoskyddskontor (SRMH). Syftet har varit att ta reda på hur många av brunnarna som har förhöjda kloridhalter (≥50 mg/l) samt hur olika parametrar påverkar kloridhalten. Undersökningen är avgränsad till permanentboenden och vattenprover från 67 brunnar har analyserats för klorid. Parametrar som kan påverka risken för saltvatteninträngning, t.ex. brunnens djup och dess avstånd till strandlinjen, har sedan använts för att analysera de uppmätta kloridhalterna. En jämförelse med tidigare kloridmätningar har även gjorts för att utvärdera hur problemet har förändrats över tid. Vidare har åtgärder för att minska vattenförbrukningen samt kommunens möjligheter att förebygga problem med saltvatteninträngning diskuterats. Resultatet visar att 24 % av brunnarna har en förhöjd kloridhalt (≥50 mg/l), vilket stämmer överrens med resultat från tidigare undersökningar på Tynningö och i liknande områden. Denna undersökning genomfördes under vintern. Eftersom kloridhalten påverkas av årstid kan kloridhalterna sommartid komma att bli högre. Resultatet visar att samtliga undersökta parametrar har en påverkan på kloridhalten. Brunnar med förhöjda kloridhalter är något djupare, äldre, ligger lägre i terrängen och närmare stranden och brunnsbottens nivå ligger djupare under havsnivån. Även antal personer som använder brunnen påverkar risken för saltvatteninträngning.

I Halmstad kommun har kunskapsnivån kring virtuellt vatten hos privatpersoner och/eller yrkesverksamma undersökts. En enkätundersökning har genomförts där 85 stycken respondenter har medverkat. Respondenterna har fått ange kön, ålder och utbildningsnivå för att kunna identifiera möjliga skillnader i förmågan att skatta virtuellt vatten. Enkäten innehöll även frågor om kommunikation som var ämnade att fastställa hur respondenterna föredrog att få ämnet virtuellt vatten kommunicerat till sig. Studien har visat att i Halmstad kommun finns där en tendens att underskatta mängden virtuellt vatten i produkter. Även den dagliga vattenförbrukningen nationellt och internationellt underskattas. Genom de utförda Chi2-testerna i kategorierna kön, ålder och utbildningsnivå har det visats att en fråga hade korrelation mellan kön och skattningsförmåga, medan resterande frågor inte visade på något samband. Det här skiljer sig gentemot tidigare forskning som gjorts kring privatpersoners förmåga att skatta sin vattenanvändning, där kategorierna högre ålder, att vara man och högre utbildning tydligt har varit korrelerat till en bättre skattningsförmåga. Vidare har produktmärkning, TV och sociala medier varit de föredragna kommunikationsmedierna i den här undersökningen, sett till respondenternas svar. För att öka kännedomen om virtuellt vatten har även förslag på en kommunikationsinsats kring virtuellt vatten utformats där sex kommunikationsmål och två slutmål har tagits fram för kommunikation om ämnet. Den här studien ger också en inblick i varför virtuellt vatten är en viktig aspekt för att uppnå Agenda 2030 samt hur en kommunikationsinsats kring virtuellt vatten kan vara en del av att uppnå en mer hållbar vattenhantering. / The knowledge about virtual water among private individuals and/or professionals have been researched in Halmstad municipality. A questionnaire survey has been conducted where 85 respondents participated. The respondents were asked to state their gender, age, and educational level so that differences concerning the perception of virtual water could be identified. The questionnaire also contained questions regarding how the respondent’s wanted information about their water usage communicated. This survey concluded that there is a tendency to underestimate the volume of virtual water in products in Halmstad municipality, as well as the daily virtual water usage both on a national and international scale. Through the performed Chi2-tests it has been shown that one question had a correlation between gender and the perception of virtual water, whilst the remaining questions related to their respective categories, gender, age, and education level, did not. This contrasts with previously conducted research about perception of water usage, where the categories higher age, being a male and higher educational level were related to a more correct water perception. Preferred ways to receive information about water usage have been shown to be through product labeling, TV, and social media. Efforts to communicate virtual water have been designed in this study in the form of six communication goals and two end goals to increase knowledge regarding the topic. It has been identified that virtual water is an important aspect to achieve Agenda 2030 as well as how communicational efforts regarding virtual water can be a part of achieving a more sustainable water management.

The purpose of this study was to determine what activities and practices prejudice water conservation in the Steelpoort area. Using this information, context specific environmental education programmes were designed for various sectors of the community. A qualitative research approach was used. Respondents who provided information through interviews and questionnaires included school principals and educators, non-teaching staff members, learners and adult community members. The theory developed from the literature review facilitated the development of qualitative research for the study. The research identified certain activities and practices that contribute to the unsustainable use of water in the area. The respondents suggested that consumers generally need to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively conserve and utilise water. Specific programmes intended to meet the needs of the various categories of consumers that will facilitate water conservation and its sustainable use were designed as an outcome and recommendation of the research. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Environmental Education)

Singapura e as bacias hidrográficas dos rios Piracicaba, Capivari e Jundiaí (PCJ), Brasil, possuem como características comuns populações de cerca de 5,5 milhões de pessoas, altos índices de urbanização e industrialização e situações críticas de disponibilidade hídrica. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa é investigar e comparar a gestão, a governança e o uso das águas na ilha principal de Singapura e nas Bacias PCJ, a partir de dados obtidos por meio de trabalhos de campo, pesquisas bibliográfica e documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas com cidadãos, profissionais e pesquisadores de ambos os países. Em Singapura, foram realizadas 52 entrevistas no total, sendo 33 cidadãos, 5 profissionais, 6 pesquisadores e 8 brasileiros. Nas Bacias PCJ, foram realizadas 45 entrevistas, sendo 27 cidadãos, 8 profissionais, 7 pesquisadores e 3 singapurianos. Foram percebidas semelhanças nos usos domésticos da água dos dois contextos, como a ênfase no seu valor econômico, o acesso fácil e conveniente a esse bem, e indícios de uma baixa influência das diferenças culturais de diferentes grupos étnicos nos níveis de consumo de água, que tendem a ser mais influenciados pela classe socioeconômica, infraestrutura doméstica, estilos de vida e costumes familiares e individuais. Nas Bacias PCJ, ainda há a presença marcante de uma cultura da abundância. A comparação dos dois casos é notável, pois trata-se, por um lado, de uma gestão centralizada e não participativa que gerou bons resultados num intervalo relativamente curto de tempo, e, por outro, de uma gestão descentralizada e participativa que, apesar de muito bem avaliada no contexto nacional, ainda possui uma série de insuficiências, falhas e fragilidades. Os casos estudados reforçam a ideia de que adversidades podem se transformar em vantagens, como em Singapura, e condições ambientalmente favoráveis podem se transformar em desvantagens, como nas Bacias PCJ. Ficou evidente que o principal fator que contribuiu para o sucesso da gestão das águas em Singapura foi o governo. Lee Kuan Yew é mencionado como mentor das políticas de desenvolvimento global de Singapura, incluindo a gestão das águas. Ele buscou conciliar desenvolvimento econômico e proteção ambiental, despoluiu todos os rios da ilha e promoveu o uso de fontes alternativas de água para aumentar a autonomia hídrica do país. Contudo, o caráter autoritário de seu governo e das medidas adotadas é questionável de um ponto de vista democrático. Apesar das Bacias PCJ estarem entre as mais avançadas do Brasil em termos da aplicação dos instrumentos da Lei 9.433/97, ainda não foram gerados todos os benefícios econômicos, sociais e a ambientais esperados e ainda há lacunas de governança que dificultam a implementação efetiva da gestão das águas. É necessário superar a visão da água como bem abundante e ilimitado, a contradição entre proteção ambiental e crescimento econômico, a organização política vigente, a corrupção, a falta de vontade política, as insuficiências no desenvolvimento urbano e o déficit de infraestrutura adequada. / Singapore and the river basins of Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí rivers (PCJ), Brazil, have populations of about 5.5 million people, high rates of urbanization and industrialization and critical situations in terms of water availability. The objective of this research is to investigate and to compare water management, governance and usage in the main island of Singapore and the PCJ river basins, based on data collected by field work, bibliographic and documentary research and semi-structured interviews with citizens, professionals and researchers from both countries. In Singapore, there were 52 interviews in total, 33 citizens, 5 professionals, 6 researchers and 8 Brazilians. In the PCJ river basins, 45 interviews were conducted, 27 citizens, 8 professionals, 7 researchers and 3 Singaporeans. Similarities were perceived in the domestic water usage of both contexts, as the emphasis on its economic value, easy and convenient access. There is evidence of a low influence of cultural differences of different ethnic groups in the level of water consumption, which tends to be more influenced by socioeconomic conditions, domestic infrastructure, lifestyles and family and individual habits. In the PCJ river basins, there is a strong presence of a culture of abundance. The comparison of the two cases is remarkable. On the one hand, a centralized and nonparticipative management style that generated good results in a relatively short period of time, and, on the other hand, a decentralized and participative management style which is highly evaluated in the national context, but it also has a number of shortcomings, faults and weaknesses. The case study reinforces the idea that adversities can be turned into advantages, such as in Singapore, and environmentally favorable conditions can be turned into disadvantages, such as in the PCJ Basins. It was evident that the main factor contributing to the success of the water management in Singapore was the government. Lee Kuan Yew is mentioned as the mentor of Singapore\'s overall development policies, including water management. He sought to reconcile economic development and environmental protection, to clean up all the rivers of the island and to promote the use of alternative sources of water to increase water autonomy in the country. However, the authoritarian government and its measures are questionable from a democratic point of view. Despite the PCJ river basins are among the most advanced in Brazil in terms of implementation of the Law 9433/97, its management has not generated all the expected economic, social and environmental benefits and there are still governance gaps that hamper the effective implementation of an effective water management. It is necessary to overcome the vision of water as an abundant and unlimited resource, the contradiction between environmental protection and economic growth, the current political structure, corruption problems, lack of political will, shortcomings in urban development and the shortage of adequate infrastructure.

The purpose of this study was to determine what activities and practices prejudice water conservation in the Steelpoort area. Using this information, context specific environmental education programmes were designed for various sectors of the community. A qualitative research approach was used. Respondents who provided information through interviews and questionnaires included school principals and educators, non-teaching staff members, learners and adult community members. The theory developed from the literature review facilitated the development of qualitative research for the study. The research identified certain activities and practices that contribute to the unsustainable use of water in the area. The respondents suggested that consumers generally need to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively conserve and utilise water. Specific programmes intended to meet the needs of the various categories of consumers that will facilitate water conservation and its sustainable use were designed as an outcome and recommendation of the research. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Environmental Education)

Singapura e as bacias hidrográficas dos rios Piracicaba, Capivari e Jundiaí (PCJ), Brasil, possuem como características comuns populações de cerca de 5,5 milhões de pessoas, altos índices de urbanização e industrialização e situações críticas de disponibilidade hídrica. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa é investigar e comparar a gestão, a governança e o uso das águas na ilha principal de Singapura e nas Bacias PCJ, a partir de dados obtidos por meio de trabalhos de campo, pesquisas bibliográfica e documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas com cidadãos, profissionais e pesquisadores de ambos os países. Em Singapura, foram realizadas 52 entrevistas no total, sendo 33 cidadãos, 5 profissionais, 6 pesquisadores e 8 brasileiros. Nas Bacias PCJ, foram realizadas 45 entrevistas, sendo 27 cidadãos, 8 profissionais, 7 pesquisadores e 3 singapurianos. Foram percebidas semelhanças nos usos domésticos da água dos dois contextos, como a ênfase no seu valor econômico, o acesso fácil e conveniente a esse bem, e indícios de uma baixa influência das diferenças culturais de diferentes grupos étnicos nos níveis de consumo de água, que tendem a ser mais influenciados pela classe socioeconômica, infraestrutura doméstica, estilos de vida e costumes familiares e individuais. Nas Bacias PCJ, ainda há a presença marcante de uma cultura da abundância. A comparação dos dois casos é notável, pois trata-se, por um lado, de uma gestão centralizada e não participativa que gerou bons resultados num intervalo relativamente curto de tempo, e, por outro, de uma gestão descentralizada e participativa que, apesar de muito bem avaliada no contexto nacional, ainda possui uma série de insuficiências, falhas e fragilidades. Os casos estudados reforçam a ideia de que adversidades podem se transformar em vantagens, como em Singapura, e condições ambientalmente favoráveis podem se transformar em desvantagens, como nas Bacias PCJ. Ficou evidente que o principal fator que contribuiu para o sucesso da gestão das águas em Singapura foi o governo. Lee Kuan Yew é mencionado como mentor das políticas de desenvolvimento global de Singapura, incluindo a gestão das águas. Ele buscou conciliar desenvolvimento econômico e proteção ambiental, despoluiu todos os rios da ilha e promoveu o uso de fontes alternativas de água para aumentar a autonomia hídrica do país. Contudo, o caráter autoritário de seu governo e das medidas adotadas é questionável de um ponto de vista democrático. Apesar das Bacias PCJ estarem entre as mais avançadas do Brasil em termos da aplicação dos instrumentos da Lei 9.433/97, ainda não foram gerados todos os benefícios econômicos, sociais e a ambientais esperados e ainda há lacunas de governança que dificultam a implementação efetiva da gestão das águas. É necessário superar a visão da água como bem abundante e ilimitado, a contradição entre proteção ambiental e crescimento econômico, a organização política vigente, a corrupção, a falta de vontade política, as insuficiências no desenvolvimento urbano e o déficit de infraestrutura adequada. / Singapore and the river basins of Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí rivers (PCJ), Brazil, have populations of about 5.5 million people, high rates of urbanization and industrialization and critical situations in terms of water availability. The objective of this research is to investigate and to compare water management, governance and usage in the main island of Singapore and the PCJ river basins, based on data collected by field work, bibliographic and documentary research and semi-structured interviews with citizens, professionals and researchers from both countries. In Singapore, there were 52 interviews in total, 33 citizens, 5 professionals, 6 researchers and 8 Brazilians. In the PCJ river basins, 45 interviews were conducted, 27 citizens, 8 professionals, 7 researchers and 3 Singaporeans. Similarities were perceived in the domestic water usage of both contexts, as the emphasis on its economic value, easy and convenient access. There is evidence of a low influence of cultural differences of different ethnic groups in the level of water consumption, which tends to be more influenced by socioeconomic conditions, domestic infrastructure, lifestyles and family and individual habits. In the PCJ river basins, there is a strong presence of a culture of abundance. The comparison of the two cases is remarkable. On the one hand, a centralized and nonparticipative management style that generated good results in a relatively short period of time, and, on the other hand, a decentralized and participative management style which is highly evaluated in the national context, but it also has a number of shortcomings, faults and weaknesses. The case study reinforces the idea that adversities can be turned into advantages, such as in Singapore, and environmentally favorable conditions can be turned into disadvantages, such as in the PCJ Basins. It was evident that the main factor contributing to the success of the water management in Singapore was the government. Lee Kuan Yew is mentioned as the mentor of Singapore\'s overall development policies, including water management. He sought to reconcile economic development and environmental protection, to clean up all the rivers of the island and to promote the use of alternative sources of water to increase water autonomy in the country. However, the authoritarian government and its measures are questionable from a democratic point of view. Despite the PCJ river basins are among the most advanced in Brazil in terms of implementation of the Law 9433/97, its management has not generated all the expected economic, social and environmental benefits and there are still governance gaps that hamper the effective implementation of an effective water management. It is necessary to overcome the vision of water as an abundant and unlimited resource, the contradiction between environmental protection and economic growth, the current political structure, corruption problems, lack of political will, shortcomings in urban development and the shortage of adequate infrastructure.