Brazil is an extremely rich country in natural resources , including, of course, water. However, it ends up bringing that false sense of abundance, doesn’t it? What happens is that not all water is necessarily safe for consumption .
In this scenario, even if there are financial resources and technical solutions, it is still necessary to evolve in terms of risk management and planning so that solutions are created in order to avoid water rationing – and, thinking ahead, the total lack of this resource is so important.
Thus, the various productive sectors, the various government entities and society in general must organize themselves and engage in the search for a much more sustainable future for the planet . After all, for some years now, the imminent rationing of water has surfaced in times of lack of rain and extreme heat.
Want to learn more about rationing and how to avoid it from an expert’s point of view? Read on and check it out. Good reading!
Why does water rationing exist?
The main reasons for the existence of water rationing are the lack of planning, maintenance and investment. There are also climatic factors, which can contribute to this situation in a specific way.
According to data from the National Water Agency (ANA), Brazil has 12% of the total freshwater reserves on the planet . In addition, it holds in its space the second largest river — the Amazon — and the largest underground aquifer on the globe . Not to mention, of course, having record rainfall rates.
But even with all these advantages, its biggest cities end up suffering rationing, as the country does not use its full potential for fresh water. And the explanation for this situation is just one: the poor management of water resources in our territory.
An example of this is that there is no protection for springs, which have suffered a lot from deforestation, nor for natural reservoirs. In addition, the rates of water loss are alarming, rivers are increasingly water treatment plant bangladesh degraded, there is a very high waste by society and part of the agricultural sector still uses old technologies. In other words, all these factors end up contributing to excess energy consumption and the great waste of water .
What are the main causes of water rationing?
Now that we have explained why rationing exists, the time has come to further discuss the main causes of water rationing in the country. Although the reasons are many, it is important to highlight the large consumption of water by society and by economic activities, especially agriculture and industry.
In addition, there is a very large waste of water, and this is not only due to long baths or open faucets, but also due to losses in pipes in private and public environments . Other causes of rationing also need to be highlighted, as you can see below.
Increased water consumption
Although water is a renewable resource, its consumption has been greater than its capacity for renewal. In Brazil, the increase in consumption is due to the growth of population, agriculture and industry. To give you an idea, according to the National Water Agency (ANA), for every 100 liters of water consumed , around 72 are used in agricultural irrigation .
But it is important to highlight that the Brazilian population needs to be aware that they use more water per day than is really necessary. Each person in Brazil uses around 154 liters of water daily , which is 34 liters more than what the UN claims is necessary to meet our basic needs.
Waste of water
As you can see, a large part of water consumption is due to irrigation in agriculture. In addition, the sector is still one of the main responsible for the waste of water . But waste also happens in people’s daily lives . Examples of this are leaks that are not fixed and contained in homes, habits such as taking long showers, using the hose to wash the yard and car, and leaving taps badly turned.
Decrease in rainfall
Do you know the relationship between deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and lack of rain? Well, this happens because of the dynamic phenomenon of the famous “flying rivers” , which bring moisture to different regions of South America.
How does this process work? It’s simple: the water vapor that forms in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean ends up meeting and being fed by the humidity of the Amazon Forest. All this humidity ends up crossing the Amazon until it finds the Andes mountain wall. In this location, part of the humidity will turn into rain and feed river sources, such as the Amazon. As for the other part, this will be sent to the Southeast, Midwest and South regions of Brazil, causing the rains.
In turn, rain helps to raise the level of reservoirs and springs. Therefore, when there is no rain, the levels go down, reaching the point of rationing.
other causes
Finally, we can mention other causes of water rationing, such as the degradation of water reserves and rivers; mismanagement of water resources; and the removal of much of the vegetation that helps rainwater seep into the soil and acts on evaporation to ensure the continuation of the water cycle and protect watercourses and springs .
What are the impacts of rationing on the environment?
The drought that has affected much of the country continues to bring many problems. In addition, the probability is that water and environmental recovery will be slower and slower, depending on the increase in volume and frequency of rains.
The rationing conditions, in general, demand extreme measures to maintain the service to the population. It was possible to see this during the great water crisis that the country went through in 2014/15 , when we gave up the so-called “dead volume” and the water sources reached their lowest point in some regions of the country.
Although I have no knowledge of studies on the entire biotics of reservoirs, it is possible to state, however, that, while we were experiencing a water shortage, the habitat of beings from those springs and surroundings disappeared (literally) . The situation is, therefore, extremely serious for the environment, causing imbalance in local ecosystems.
How is the industry impacted by water rationing?
It is important to emphasize that the main energy mode in Brazil is the hydroelectric, which has a negative point of dependence on the availability of water. Thus, a major drought could lead the country to a new energy rationing, just like what happened in 2001 .
In this sense, the need for rationing is a result of the lack of proper management of water use, especially in times of drought. It is important to remember that the lack of this resource in the country does not only affect the availability of drinking and treated water in homes. Agriculture and industries (the main consumers and on which the population depends) are the areas that can suffer most from this problem , which can have major impacts on the economy as a whole.
In the case of industries, the impact of rationing is felt mainly because they use water in their processes. When there is a lack of resources, the factories have their production totally impaired at the most varied scales, depending on the need for the input in the manufacturing activity. With that, the profit margin drops a lot and, sometimes, it is necessary to paralyze entire sectors. In 2015, for example, the factories in Rio de Janeiro had a loss of R$65 million during the water crisis .
When this happens, the production of products is reduced, which generates a rise in the final prices that reach the market and consumers.
How to avoid water rationing?
Rationing assumes that there is less water available in relation to demand, so it is necessary to act on both ends. On the one hand, it is necessary to increase the supply of the resource through desalination , water supply recharge and reuse.
At the other end, the main weapons for the correct use of water are the conscious and rational use, investment and planning (avoiding waste) combined with an education of society to instill the value of the resource for new generations. Check out the main ways to avoid water rationing below and put them into practice!
Check for leaks
Did you know that a leaky faucet can use up to 40 liters of water in a day? That’s why checking for leaks is critical .
One of the ways to identify them inside the houses is to close all the house’s water outlets and close the water meter valve so that the water flow is stopped. Then you need to mark the water tank level and check again after an hour.
If the level is below the previous level, it means that there is a leak in the toilets or in the internal pipes of the house . Reporting leaks is also a way to avoid waste. So, be sure to inform the company responsible for the supply as soon as you notice a leak in the street.
Pay attention to routines
Many everyday tasks can use up many liters of our most essential resource. Therefore, paying close attention to routines can help to save both water resources and your own pocket.
For example, did you know that washing the sidewalk with a hose consumes 280 liters of water and that washing the car with a hose for 30 minutes consumes 560 liters of water ?
Small changes in showering and house cleaning can make a big difference. It is also possible to use the water from the washing machine to wash the sidewalks and floors.
Pay attention to expenses
Did you know that almost 90% of all energy in our country is generated by the power of water? This means that Brazil’s energy park is linked to the flow of rivers and the volume of rainfall. In this way, electricity and water are totally related. Saving energy, therefore, also means saving water resources . Light bulbs and electronic devices turned on unnecessarily also result in wasted water.
The electric shower is one of the biggest villains of the bills and one of the biggest responsible for the water consumption in a residence. A good tip is to give preference to models that have flow and temperature control options. In the case of lamps, choose, whenever possible, the ones with LED technology — they are more economical, ecological versions and that still last longer than the common ones.
The Ministry of the Environment also indicates that, when purchasing appliances, consumers should check the PROCEL label. In it, you can check the energy consumption of the devices and, therefore, their efficiency.
Decrease bath time
Calm down, because no one is talking about leaving hygiene aside! However, did you know that excessive bathing and the use of hot water can be harmful to our skin, as they remove the layer of essential fat for its lubrication? In spite of this, to maintain our health, we must frequently sanitize our private parts, feet, hands and armpits.
Therefore, in cases of extreme water deprivation and when it is not possible to take a shower every day, it is important to prepare for a quick shower, even if it is with wet wipes. In addition, taking shorter showers helps to save money and thus avoid water rationing . But don’t overdo it, okay? Bathing helps prevent many illnesses , in addition to promoting good hygiene.
Expand the use of reused water
This is a measure that needs to be adopted mainly by the government and the productive sectors. The sewage, after undergoing specific advanced treatment, can be used very well in several situations. This water can be used, for example, to clean parks and streets after fairs and events. The industry itself can benefit from reused water, using it to cool boilers, for example. It makes no sense to do this with drinking water, would you?
clean up the rivers
Depolluting rivers is a matter of extreme importance. Paulistanos, for example, cannot use the waters of the Tietê, Tamanduateí, Pinheiros and many other water courses in the municipality. Today, they are considered dead rivers, as they have been so impacted by pollution, ranging from urban sewage to countless cans and plastics that are discarded on the streets and washed into them by rain, that there is practically no more life in their waters.
However, we are talking about a very complex, time-consuming and investment- intensive process that should be done as quickly as possible. On the other hand, society needs to do its part and stop disposing of garbage on the streets.
Start restoring forests
There are several indications that, if the forests and forests of Brazil were not extremely degraded, cities would be able to withstand the drought much better. After all, the trees end up preventing the siltation of dams and rivers, regulating the climate.
Therefore, reforestation is an urgent issue, and the result is quickly achieved. A good example is the city of Extrema, in the state of Minas Gerais, which paid for the springs to be reforested , and currently manages to face the drought without running the risk of running out of supplies.
Dispose of garbage properly
Disposing of garbage on the streets, in addition to polluting the city, clogs sewers , pollutes rivers and causes flooding, in addition, of course, to contaminating groundwater. In addition, it is necessary that the population make the proper connection of sewage from the residence to the collection network, separating it from the rainwater drainage network, after all, sewage and rainwater must not mix !
Don’t forget about “invisible water”
It is necessary to be aware that consumption is not just the water that comes out directly from showers and faucets . It is essential to adopt measures that save water resources indirectly . Using the same clothes more than once before washing, if in adequate condition, is a great example. In addition, it is recommended to avoid wasting food, since that way the need for consumption is lower, reducing the demand for water for production — this ranges from vegetables, vegetables, other foods from the land, from meat to industrialized products.
Always close the faucet
Another good practice is to turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or soaping cutlery and dishes. The simple act of immersing the dishes in water after use contributes a lot, as it prevents the dirt from drying out and, thus, the washing takes much longer .
Why is it so urgent to think about water rationing?
After all the crises that the country has gone through in relation to lack of water, weather phenomena have contributed to the rainfall returning to a normal average frequency and, little by little, the volume of water resources has normalized. For example, after operating for six months with a volume equal to or below 40%, the Cantareira System has been out of the alert level since January 2019 .
Several options were considered at the time for the generation of portable water for supply. But none of the alternatives presented were actually implemented during the water rationing period. However, this time of scarcity ended up leaving a very big milestone in the history of Brazil , showing that a lot of planning is needed when it comes to water resources.
After all, water has an indispensable role for society, as it was possible to understand throughout this content. And the lack of this resource affects all sectors of the economy, being capable of generating great impacts on the country’s GDP.
Brazil, as you saw at the beginning of the text, still has a privileged position in relation to the quality and quantity of water. Several countries around the world have very low availability, needing to invest in ways to save, reuse and reuse water to meet the population’s demand. In this way, we can see how important it is to think about water consumption and ways to ensure its use and preservation for the coming years and decades.
In this sense, technology has appeared as an ally, but it is still necessary to educate the population and invest in public policies so that companies adopt a more sustainable posture, aiming at the good of all.
A very important step towards this are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , more specifically the SDG 6 . The purpose of this SDG is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Some of the purposes are: to achieve universal and fully equitable access to drinking water ; improve water quality, eliminating waste and reducing pollution; and achieving access to adequate hygiene and sanitation for all.
As you can see, it is possible to avoid water rationing in Brazil with well thought out and planned measures. Several actions are already being carried out by basic sanitation service providers. But everyone can contribute by playing their role. Take advantage of our tips presented here and always seek the preservation of water resources , ensuring quality and quantity for future generations.
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