Identificação de uma estrutura econômica da diluição de efluentes para o setor sucroalcooleiro da bacia do Pirapama-PE.

Abstract

The water, until recently, was considered a free resource of nature and whatever the demand about it, this could be supplied indefinitely. However, the economic, industrial and social development, related to increased industrial pollution and the problems arising from poor sanitation and water supply contributed to the formation of more adequate awareness to reality. There is no doubt that there must be an effective way to control water use. The Federal Law 9.433/97 established the National Water Resources Policy and created the National System of Water Resources Management. It defines water as a public good with economic value. The Law defined an integrated water resources management. It has among its instruments, charging for the use of raw water. The objective of this research was to get ordinary demand functions and from them, the price elasticity for each of water user and the reductions of benefits resulting from possible demands for reduction of pollution load. Pirapama River Basin (Pernambuco State, Brazil) and its sugarcane industry were selected as case study. The results indicate a high potential pollutant derived mainly from vinasse effluent generated in the manufacturing process of alcohol and spirits, and a number of loss of benefits when incorporated into private costs to externalities caused to other users.