Índice de Segurança Hídrica na Bacia Hidrográfica dos Sertões de Crateús: riscos e desafios: um estudo aplicado à Bacia Hidrográfica dos Sertões de Crateús

Abstract

Water security is essential for sustainable development, especially in semiarid regions where surface and groundwater availability is limited and irregular. This study evaluated the Water Security Index (ISH) of the Sertões de Crateús River Basin, considering the human, economic, ecosystem, and resilience dimensions. Data on water availability and demand, urban supply coverage, irrigated areas, rainfall variability, and reservoir characteristics obtained from official agencies such as ANA, IBGE, and COGERH were used. The calculation of the indicators, according to the methodology of the National Water and Sanitation Agency, revealed significant variations among the municipalities: Crateús had an ISH of 3.75 (grade 4 – High), Independência 2.75 (grade 3 – Medium), Novo Oriente 1.75 (grade 2 – Low), Tamboril and Ipaporanga 1.50 (grade 2 – Low), and Quiterianópolis 1.75 (grade 2 – Low). These results highlight weaknesses in urban water supply, low artificial reservoir capacity, and vulnerability to climate variability. The conclusion is that structural actions are necessary, such as expanding reservoir capacity, diversifying supply sources, and strengthening integrated water resource management, to raise the indices to safer levels and ensure long-term resilience and sustainability.