The Cantareira System, the Largest South American Water Supply System: Management History, Water Crisis, and Learning

Located in the southeast region of Brazil, Cantareira System consists six interconnected reservoirs and supplies around 14 million people state São Paulo. Built 1970s, when extensive fluviometric series were not available region, system underwent several operating rules that culminated water crisis caused by 2014/2015 drought. This article makes a brief critical account what has been experienced these almost 50 years system, factors influenced crisis, learned.