Abstract ID: 3.9263 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

The Itajaí Valley, Brazil, is one of the regions most affected by hydrometeorological events in the country. In addition to recurrent floods, the region faces challenges related to water governance and the inclusion of migrants in urban planning and water management processes. Migration to the Itajaí Valley is mainly driven by the industrial and service economy, attracting people from different Brazilian states and countries such as Haiti, Venezuela and Senegal. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (2022), the migrant population in the state grew by 35.5% between 2010 and 2020, reaching more than 170 thousand people. Migrants often occupy areas with poor infrastructure, with limited access to clean water and basic sanitation. According to the National Sanitation Information System (2022), Blumenau and Brusque have sewage coverage deficits of 47% and 58%, respectively, while in Itajaí this number reaches 62%. This precariousness increases sanitary vulnerability, intensifying exposure to waterborne diseases, historically associated with the contamination of reservoirs. Conflicts related to water use emerge in various contexts, including competition between economic sectors and the marginalization of vulnerable groups in public policies. The Atlas of the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency of Brazil (2021) points out that the Itajaí Valley has one of the highest rates of judicialization of disputes for access to water in Brazil. The preliminary results of the research indicate that, despite structural precariousness, migrant communities develop support networks and informal strategies for access to water, such as independent collection and distribution systems. Community negotiations and support from NGOs, mediating conflicts over supply and sanitation with the social integration between migrants and local populations also show itself as a strategy for the water problem. However, these initiatives do not replace the need for inclusive public policies. The survey also reveals that migrants’ participation in water management councils and forums is virtually non-existent. By connecting migration, water governance, and social inequality, the study contributes to the broad debate on sustainability and water justice in climate change contexts.