Análise da demanda de água de abastecimento urbano na Microrregião de Araripina – PE.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the behavior of water users in the domestic/residential sector using the price elasticity of demand parameter, identifying the sensitivity of demand in the face of the increase in the price of the cubic meter of water consumed. The study area included the cities located in the Microregion of Araripina -PE/ Brazil, for the period from January 2007 to December 2015. In the analysis of urban demand, data were used: from a water meter and tariff structure provided by COMPESA - Pernambuco Sanitation Company; and alternative methodologies, water trucks, in a hypothetical condition of lack of water in the supply system. In the analysis of demand due to the increase in the tariff, there was a predominantly elastic behavior, on average, for a 1% increase in the tariff, the reduction in demand would correspond to 2.92%, proportionally. These results were also crossed in the El Niño and La Niña periods: the mean elastic demands in the El Niño occurrences were quite heterogeneous; in other cases, the values were below the global average. In alternative methodologies, elasticities were calculated and demand functions were assembled. Strong reductions in demand in water truck consumption and high parallel market prices that conditioned elasticity values indicating inelastic demands were observed. The results are expected to support studies of charging for water use using economic models in regions with similar climatology.