Experiências com um Programa de Consumo Sustentável de Água e Energia no Sistema Metroferroviário de João Pessoa/PB: Um Estudo sobre sua Aplicação

Abstract

The current increasing use of natural resources is often conducted unsustainably, without proper management that should seek to ensure the quality of the supplied water and electricity. The application of the concept of sustainable development in buildings and companies become, therefore of relevance, since it may lead to a conscious consumption and rational use of resources. Applied through programs for the conservation and rational use of resources, this concept might also bring social and economical benefits. In this way, the Superintendency of Urban Trains of João Pessoa (CBTU), responsible for the transport of passengers within the metropolitan area of João Pessoa, developed the Sustainable Consumption of Water and Energy Program (CAES), with the purpose of promoting the sustainable use of electricity and water in the company. The overall objective of this study is to measure the effect of CAES actions in the CBTU on the consumption of water and electricity. The amount and types of lamps that were found, the situation and quantity of consumer units of water, as well as the company’s monthly consumption of energy and water were the data which was analysed through a survey. In addition, a diagnosis of the company’s hydrosanitary equipment was made. They were all classified according to their type and situation of use. Finally, one evaluation to assess the progress and also the real efficiency of the program was carried out. As a result, it was found that the CBTU has taps with aerators as the only technology for reducing water consumption directly or indirectly, which accounts for about 2% of the company’s taps. At least 9% of items consumers of water presented leaks, whereas approximately 6.6% showed some kind of defect that somehow affected the water consumption. The estimated volume of water loss per day reaches 76m³/month in the company. More than a half of the CBTU lamps are of a fluorescent type (69%), whereas LED lamps accounts for 27%. The program has not yet resulted in the reduction of the average volume of consumed water, mainly when compared to the two years before the implementation of the program. When it comes to energy consumption, there was a reduction of 4% in the average consumption during the CAES. Considering the increase in the number of employees, the reduction in the per capita energy consumption in the period after CAES was of 19%. The implementation of the program is an important action and its results are presented over time through the reduction of water and energy expenses.