Achieving efficient water management in a Brazilian University

Authors

  • Fernanda Master in Environmental Sciences, Leader of the Sustainability Division, Reitoria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3757-5759
  • Décio PhD in Geosciences and Environment, Professor, Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Diadema, Diadema, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4253-6351
  • Ângela Tavares Paes PhD in Sciences, Professor, Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein and Applied Statistics, Reitoria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7405-3442
  • Andrezza PhD in Biological Sciences, Professor, Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Baixada Santista, Santos, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1800-5796
  • Simone PhD in Sciences, Professor, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Diadema, Diadema, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9482-602X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v12n1.2021.31166

Keywords:

University environmental management. Sustainability in Public Administration. Rational water consumption. Consumption reduction.

Abstract

In 2015, the water crisis affecting the São Paulo Metropolitan Region reached its peak. The Federal Government published an Ordinance stablishing good practices in the management and use of water and electricity. This work aimed to verify if the management actions performed at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo were effective for water consumption reduction. It was analyzed secondary data of the monthly water consumption at campuses and Rectory, from 2014 to 2016. Statistical analyses were carried out comparing the water consumption between the periods pre- and post-intervention, which occurred in February 2015. The results show that the intervention reduced per capita water consumption by 33% in 2015 and 35% in 2016, saving up more than 65,000 m3 of water. These management actions were effective, and helped the academic population to achieve a more efficiently use of water and financial resources, becoming more sustainable.

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Author Biographies

Fernanda, Master in Environmental Sciences, Leader of the Sustainability Division, Reitoria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Graduated in Environmental Engineering (São Marcos University); Master of Science (Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP); Leader of the Sustainability Division of Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP).

 

Décio, PhD in Geosciences and Environment, Professor, Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Diadema, Diadema, SP, Brazil

Graduated in Ecology (Paulista State University - UNESP); PhD in Geosciences and Environment (Paulista State University - UNESP); Post-Doc in Environmental Sciences (University of Lisbon – Portugal); Professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and leader of Laboratory of Integrated Sciences (LabInSciences).

 

Ângela Tavares Paes, PhD in Sciences, Professor, Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein and Applied Statistics, Reitoria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Graduated in Statistics (University of São Paulo - USP); Master in Sciences (University of São Paulo - USP); PhD in Sciences (University of São Paulo School of Medicine - USP); Professor at the Albert Einstein Israeli Faculty of Health Sciences (FICSAE). 

Andrezza, PhD in Biological Sciences, Professor, Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Baixada Santista, Santos, SP, Brazil

Graduated in Biomedicine (Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP); Master in Molecular Biology (Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP); PhD in Biological Sciences (Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP); Professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and leader of the Laboratory of  Bioprospection (BioproSP).

Simone, PhD in Sciences, Professor, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Diadema, Diadema, SP, Brazil

Graduated in Civil Engineering (University of São Paulo - USP); Master in Transportation Engineering (University of São Paulo - USP); PhD in Sciences (University of São Paulo School of Medicine - USP); Professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and leader of the Laboratory of Economics, Health and Environmental Pollution (LESPA).

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Published

2021-04-29 — Updated on 2021-05-07

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How to Cite

Justi, F., Semensatto, D., Paes, Ângela T. ., Gozzo, A. J., & Miraglia, S. G. E. K. . (2021). Achieving efficient water management in a Brazilian University. Sustainability in Debate, 12(1), 133–149. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v12n1.2021.31166 (Original work published April 29, 2021)

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2021): Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate

Section

Articles - Varia

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