Evaluation of alternatives for reducing household potable water consumption: case study in Caruaru, PE, Brazil

Abstract In a scenario of water crisis, such as that experienced by the Brazilian Agreste region in recent years, the sustainability of water supply has been the aim of several investigations. This research project involved the study of the hypothetical implementation of technological alternatives for reducing household potable water consumption in Caruaru, PE. The alternatives were evaluated from a multicriteria perspective. That perspective takes into account environmental, technical, economic and social criteria, which are identified through designs, market research and interviews with residents and experts. With the application of the multicriteria method Promethee II, it was possible to verify that the implementation of water-saving devices is the most suitable alternative for the region. This alternative promotes a 29.11% reduction in water consumption, while the payback period was estimated at 16 months. The long term required to recover the capital in the other alternatives highlights the need for government policies offering financial incentives to the population, preventing the region’s socioeconomic conditions from being the main obstacle for the adoption of water resources conservation practices.