Análise crítica das técnicas e estratégias de controle de perdas de água em sistemas de abastecimento: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

After the extended periods of drought that occurred in 2014-2015 in the state of São Paulo, the greater Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, felt what in fact is a water crisis scenario, discussions regarding water availability in Brazil and its heterogeneity of distribution between the Brazilian states and the basin management quality has been growing and gaining attention from the entire population. With the population growth and the accelerated expansion of urban centers, often unplanned, providing drinking water with proper availability, quality and pressure to the entire Brazilian population becomes a difficult task in this context. In view of the above, this work addresses the topic of water losses in supply systems with focus on the distribution networks, gathering information on the definitions of real and apparent losses, its main causes, economic and environmental impacts, and some of the main combat strategies against the losses. The goal is to carry out a bibliographical review regarding the state of the art on the topic of water losses and demonstrate the multidisciplinary nature of relevant topics necessary to understand and combat the phenomenon of losses in distribution networks. The collection of searched data and academic papers demonstrate that at a national level, Brazil has high loss rates and several studies show that the reduction of losses can make significant contributions to the supply capacity of the distribution networks and can reduce the economic and enviromental losses related to water for the the entire society.