ANÁLISE DO CONSUMO PER CAPITA DE ÁGUA EM MUNICÍPIOS BRASILEIROS

Abstract

To establish a fixed value for the per capita consumption of water in Brazil, still remains as one of the main challenges currently. The consumption of water in Brazil is quite varied: each distinct physical and geographical characteristic, thus contributing in the region has its variability of water availability. The Northeast region, for example, suffers from the lack of water; the opposite of the North; which is abundant of water. The objective of this study was to analyze the average per capita consumption of water through data available in the National Sanitation Information System (SNIS), available on the internet, from 2000 to 2015. For this purpose, values related to two study variables : Urban population and per capita water consumption. The data were grouped and organized in graphic form, using the PLOT BOX (or box) graph, thus demonstrating the average behavior of water consumption in Brazilian municipalities in the last 15 years. The consumption analysis of the five Brazilian geographic regions showed an increasing trend of average water consumption per capita, whit reference the size of population. Municipalities whit a extensive urban network, industries and larges population tend to consume a larger volume of water than smaller municipalities. The Southeastern region stood out as the largest consumer, presenting averages that exceeded 300 L/ hab.day; opposite the Northeastern region, which presented an average level well below the another regions, whit the maximum consumption rotating around 188,7 L/hab.day. Finally, a new updated table of the average per capita water consumption in Brazil was established, according to 5 previously established population ranges.