82 2015 Recursos hídricos Water resources Rationality and creativity The crisis in water supply in the Southeast region has caused society to take note of rational use of this resource. Find out some water intake, forms and consumption reduction options available to industry for product costs reducing. Even though Brazil is rich in water resources and having 12% of all fresh water of the earth and, despite having the Guarany and Alter do Chão aquifers in its underground, capable of supplying the whole planet population for 200 more years, the country is facing one of the biggest water supply crises of its history. In some regions of the country, 2015 began showing the hard side of water rationing. Reaching especially those who live in urban areas where the shortage remains for many successive hours without receiving the liquid for their basic needs, such as food and hygiene. Companies in particular the Northeast and Southeast also have suffered the consequences of this restriction. Rationing - or water pressure reducing in São Paulo – has decreased consumption, but on the other hand, has also decreased the water supply company’s turnover. Facing the necessity of implementing significant investments to improve reservoirs network and intake, the National Water Agency (Ana) authorized the readjustment of 13.87% on the rate, thereby pressing productions costs in industry even more. At the same time, entrepreneurs, especially from small and medium-sized factories, have been receiving a lot of suggestions to their problems. The more pragmatic ones suggested artesian well drilling or water reuse. For Percy Soares Neto, water resources Coordinator of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), the well can be a good alternative, provided that groundwater is abundant and monitoring system is reliable; and that the company responsible for the grants meet the limits and don’t issue concessions above groundwater capacity in that area, which consequently would result in more loss to everyone. As to reuse, Percy is more cautious and alert it is an expensive solution, and should only be performed as the third step of a good water management process. “But before that, entrepreneur will have to perform their duties,” he recommends. Firstly he recommends that consumption be measured by each sector: install hydrometer to measure the quantity used in each Department. “Entrepreneurs who never worried with water management may be surprised when discovering the high wasting level in some sectors,” says the Coordinator of the CNI. “In these cases, after being exposed to the excesses, the company can reduce consumption by up to 30%,” he emphasizes. The second step is reusing. The water used in the industrial process, for example, and with low-waste materials, is suitable for yard washing. Another tip is to build a reservoir for rainwater capture to be designed for washing areas, watering gardens and sanitary systems flushing. It may seem obvious, but before the crisis many companies used only fresh water for these tasks. If these measures are still not sufficient, facotires can think of reuse, “after all, they need water”, says Percy Neto. He reminds,
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