83 2015 however, that the decision should not be a “thoughtless” process because the effluent treatment process requires high investment in addition to structural and operational costs of maintenance, including increase of energy consumption. Possible solutions and attitudes Economy and rational consumption are the most recommended procedures. According to the Coordinator of CNI, the problem faced in the Southeast may be attenuated from 2016, “if the work scheduled for new water intakes in the region is maintained as planned”. Regardless of improvement on supply crisis in the short or medium term, companies’ need to be prepared for rates that will remain high. If some benefit has come out of the crisis, it was to serve as a warning to everybody that water is a finite resource and requires special care. All Brazilian States and the Union itself already have committees to discuss capture methods. “Imagine the same river being used by the Supply Company, electric power companies, farmers and cattle farmers. If no rational use is put into practice, sooner or later, no parties will have enough water for their needs”, he points out. He says that the CNI has representatives in all committees. “In total, there are 500 people who act on behalf of the industrial sector and propose solutions that benefit society as a whole. After all, the problem affects everyone “, he justifies. Percy ensures that the industry is doing its share and expects the public government also contributes to price reduction. To that end he commends the government of the State of Ceará, which created a second concessionary to supply companies with untreated water. “This way, water is not treated for human consumption level but is suitable for industrial process and costs less”. The CNI water resources coordinator expects other States to deploy the same system - or something similar. Other resources Use of water from ground water and the sea is possible. But the costs are still too high. Water failure is an international problem. In some countries in Africa and Middle East there are permanent rationing, in addition to an absolute control to avoid waste. In Brazil, it is abundant, yet it is not distributed according to population density. It is abundant in the North region, it lacks in the Northeast and requires some attention in the Southeast cause this is the most densely populated region in the country. According to Percy Soares Neto, the use of aquifers reserves will occur only in extreme case due to high costs for its prospecting and transportation to consumption centers. “This is easily done with energy, but with water it is different,” he points out. Another possible solution is seawater desalination. “Many people are already studying this viability but investments are also very high. Maybe technology can improve its process and reduce costs for structure creation and operation. But it is not a short term expectation”, he says.
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