Brazil's water consumption can be divided into three main areas: industrial, domestic and agricultural. Agriculture is the main facet of the Brazilian economy and water is its biggest concern. Brazil has three main river basins: Amazones, Tocantins and São Francisco. They also have two other pond systems which include many smaller ponds. The Amazon River basin is very important; being one of the largest rivers in the world, its enormous flow accounts for more than half of Brazil's "drainage basin". Surface waters are not the only water abundance in Brazil; Groundwater is also widely available in Brazil. Despite Brazil's great abundance of water, some regions are even drier, such as the northeast. If properly maintained, their water resources are sufficient to provide all irrigation “for the foreseeable future.” Brazil has participated in numerous treaties, including the Plata River Treaty, the Amazon Cooperation Treaty, the Cooperation Agreement for the Use of Natural Resources and the Development of the Quaraí River Basin and the Treaty for the use of shared natural resources in neighboring areas. of the Uruguay River and its tributary, the Pepiri-Guaçu River, between Brazil and Argentina. All of these treaties were signed with the aim of protecting one of Brazil's most abundant natural resources. The other reason water is so important to Brazil is its use as an energy source. Nearly 93% of the energy they consume comes from hydroelectric power. They are even home to the largest hydroelectric plant in the world, which they share with Paraguay. Currently, only about a fifth of the country's hydroelectric generating capacity is exploited. (Kundell, 2008) Brazil faces three major water problems: floods...... middle of paper......, 2012, according to IPS news: http://ipsnews .net/news.asp ?idnews=56713 Kaye, L. (March 16, 2011). Brazil's water management challenges open doors for cleantech entrepreneurs. Retrieved February 20, 2012 from The Gaurdian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/brazil-water-management-cleantech Kundell, J. (April 17, 2008). Brazil water profile. Retrieved February 21, 2012 from The Encyclopedia of Earth: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Water_profile_of_BrazilLtd, MC (2011). What is CLEANTECH? . Retrieved February 20, 2012 from Mirador Clean Tech Finance: http://www.miradorltd.com/cleantech.htm Osava, M. (October 31, 2006). A look at urban water pollution. Retrieved February 21, 2012 from IPS news: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35308 Tucci, CE (2007). Urban flood management. World Meteorological Organization .