But beyond central government, a great sense of responsibility should be strengthened at the state, basin and municipal level for an effective implementation of water policy. Successful structural reforms and strategies are long processes to prepare, adopt and implement, and they often take several attempts. Complex changes like those required in Brazil’s water sector will inevitably take years. Circumstances at all levels can change during the reform implementation period, and water reform can only be successful if it has the flexibility to adapt to shifting circumstances.