Sustentabilidade da atividade produtora de água envasada em Fortaleza, Ce

Abstract

This study examines the activity of producing bottled water in the city of Fortaleza, discriminating between mineral water and the table drinking water, the latter marketed as "water with added salts". The subject of this work was inspired by the prospect of accelerated growth of the economic activity of bottling drinking water, given that in Fortaleza environmental degradation is observably happening at a very accelerated pace, with deleterious consequences for water resources. Sustainability was examined in two respects: the financial and the environmental. The research was divided into three stages. The first was the characterization of the activity held in Fortaleza, including the qualitative analysis of the bottled water, considering the resolutions of ANVISA. In the second stage, the analysis of financial sustainability was carried out, by the assessment of investment costs and costs of operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) of the activity. In the third stage the environmental sustainability of the activity was assessed through the analysis of vulnerability of the aquifers of Fortaleza, applying the index DRASTIC. During the stage of characterization, 23 brands of salt-added water, and five of mineral water, were examined (in 2007), being observed the presence of coliform bacteria but no other microorganisms. The quality of bottled water of Fortaleza, however, was verified to be within the acceptable limits of the local legislation. The results of the second stage indicated that the financial sustainability of the activity would be met as long as it was possible to collect at least R$ 1.36 per 20 liters bottle, which would correspond to the total costs of investment and OAM. As for environmental sustainability of the activity, it can be easily satisfied (in Fortaleza) given the low average vulnerability of the Fortaleza aquifers and the low pollution potential of the activity. The analysis of DRASTIC Index for the aquifers of Fortaleza has shown that their regional vulnerability is low (about half the area, predominantly in central-southern sector of the city), intermediate (predominantly in the centre of the city) or high (in the northern coastal region). The areas of exploitation of groundwater for bottling in Fortaleza are mainly located in regions with low vulnerability: the nine sources analyzed, seven are located in downtown area of low vulnerability, two in the region of intermediate vulnerability and none in the area of high vulnerability. This, of course, is very positive for bottled water quality, but does not mean that there is no risk of pollution, especially considering the environmental scenario of the city of Fortaleza. As for the activity of water bottling, it was concluded that, in this case, it can be exerted without causing serious damage to the environment.