Aproveitamento de Água Pluvial para Fins Não Potáveis em Edificações Residenciais: Caso de Estudo em Rio Branco/AC

Abstract

The problems of water scarcity and pollution of water sources, associated with population growth, industrialization, and urbanization, suggest the search for alternatives to ensure sufficient quality and quantity of water supply. Rainwater harvesting emerges as an efficient alternative for non-potable uses, such as laundry, sidewalks, cars, toilet flushing, and garden irrigation. This study analyzes the financial and environmental feasibility of installing a rainwater harvesting system in a residential unit in the city of Rio Branco. Economic feasibility was verified by the return on investment time, which is 25.7 years, making the installation financially unfeasible, despite providing a monthly reduction of approximately 30% in potable water consumption. However, the system is environmentally viable, providing a saving of 6.45 m³ of treated water monthly.