Uso de águas pluviais para contemplação hídrica, em instituições de ensino, como subsídio para gestão ambiental

Abstract

This study aims to provide information to support the rational management of water use in federal educational institutions in the state of Pernambuco, prioritizing water allocation according to quality and specific use needs. The objective was to evaluate how rainwater harvesting systems can assist in environmental management and reduce potable water consumption. The methodology included assessing water consumption, identifying non- potable uses, analyzing the water balance (demand vs. supply), running simulations using the Netuno 4 software to estimate the replacement of potable water with rainwater, and evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of implementing these systems at three campuses of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pernambuco, located in the cities of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pesqueira, and Afogados da Ingazeira. Water consumption was quantified through bill analysis and detailed surveys of sanitary fixtures and use areas, enabling the calculation of per capita consumption indicators, which ranged from 10.52 to 19.26 L/user/day. The main findings indicate that it is possible to replace, on average, up to 70% of the water demand for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, floor cleaning, and garden irrigation. At the Jaboatão dos Guararapes Campus, where a partial system already exists, expanding the catchment area and storage capacity could lead to an average annual potable water savings of up to 37.9%, with peak reductions of 57.26% during the rainy season, and an estimated payback period of three to four years. At the Pesqueira Campus, implementing a system with a 40,000-liter tank could yield an average annual savings of 11.16%, reaching 22.12% in the rainy season, at an approximate cost of R$ 430,000. At the Afogados da Ingazeira Campus, a system with a 30,000-liter tank indicated an average annual savings potential of 21.13%, reaching up to 48.65% during the rainy season, with an estimated cost of R$ 205,000. The study concludes that rainwater harvesting is an effective and sustainable alternative that contributes to reducing pressure on water sources, improves water management efficiency in institutions, and offers both economic and environmental benefits. It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 by proposing solutions that enhance water use efficiency and encourage the sustainable use of water resources. The technical product developed from this work was a digital guidebook designed to support the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems, with replication potential in other institutions and educational value for technical training students, fostering environmental education and strengthening sustainable practices