Proposal to reduce potable water consumption in a metallurgical industry in the metropolitan region of Curitiba city – case study

Abstract

This research is based on the need to reduce the consumption of potable water due to the current water scenario allied to the company’s socio-environmental situation. The metallurgical industry is the third industrial group with the highest consumption of potable water in the world. This study can be used in other metallurgical industry segments besides residences, public and private works. Currently, the water usage scenario of Curitiba and the metropolitan region is classified as ‘quantitative critical’, which can cause companies to accelerate the process of water collection through alternative sources. Through surveying potential sources for water collection, three sources of capture and one point for press water were classified. For validation of these potentials, chemical-physical tests were performed on the water samples. Subsequently, reservoir sizing calculations were performed based on the ABNT NBR 15527 standard. Thus, the first idea of reducing potable water consumption was up to 84%, even in the month with the lowest volume of rain.