Avaliação preliminar do reúso agrícola dos efluentes da ETE Jundiaí/Guarapes

Abstract

In several places around the world, the water availability becomes less, so it is increasingly common to seek alternative and sustainable ways to obtain it, one of which is the reuse of treated effluents. Regions such as the semiarid regions, present in the Northeast Brazil, are the most affected. In this context, Natal-RN - capital of one of the northeastern states - undergoes an expansion of its sewage system, a fact that has great potential for reusing the addition of treated sewage obtained with this expansion. In view of this situation, the present study aimed to analyze the viability of agricultural reuse of the effluents to be treated in the new stations currently being implemented, in relation to their complementary treatment (required in the environmental licensing process) from the survey of their costs of implementation and operation, in order to also take into account environmental and social impacts of each one. The results showed a more expensive implantation of the reuse system in relation to the complementary treatment. However, the operation of the reuse system proved to be much more economically viable, so that the difference in implementation costs would inevitably be surpassed in a few years. The reuse system also had an advantage in the environmental sphere, as it was taken into account that the treated effluents would no longer be discharged into rivers, as it would be with complementary treatment, reducing possible negative impacts on the estuaries. In addition, the system will generate revenue from its agricultural activity, as it generate direct and indirect jobs for the local population and its surroundings.