Estudo comparativo entre métodos de dimensionamento de reservatórios de sistemas de aproveitamento de águas de chuva em uma região semiárida

Abstract

Water, a finite natural resource essential for human life and activities, is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. In response to these contemporary challenges of water scarcity, especially in regions with irregular and semi-arid rainfall, rainwater harvesting systems have emerged as an important practice. This study, in accordance with NBR 15527 (ABNT, 2007), compares methods for sizing reservoirs for using rainwater in homes: Rippl Method, Azevedo Neto Method, German practical method, Australian practical method and English practical method. The methods are evaluated for efficiency using the Daily Water Balance Method, aiming to meet the demand for flushing toilets in homes with 2, 4 and 6 inhabitants, for catchment areas on roofs of 40, 80 and 100 m2. The results indicate that the Azevedo Neto Method achieved efficiency greater than 90% in two specific scenarios, while the Rippl Method and the Australian Practical Method, in general, demonstrated the best efficiencies, being considered the most suitable methods for the objectives of this study.