Análise de perdas de água em canais: um estudo de caso do cinturão das águas do Ceará.

Abstract

Water, an essential resource, is a constant topic both due to its intrinsic value and its potential for socioeconomic development. Despite extensive literature on the subject, more case studies are needed to diagnose problems and their specific causes, making mitigation more practical for both small and large enterprises. This case study aims to investigate water loss in open channels, structures widely used to transport water from wealthier regions to those with significant water deficits. The focus is on diagnosing water loss in these systems, identifying causes, quantifying volumes lost and their impacts, and proposing measures to reduce these losses. The research was conducted in Lot 1 of the Cinturão das Águas do Ceará project, covering Jati-CE, Porteiras-CE, and Brejo Santo-CE, through field data collection, and documentary and bibliographic research in public institutions and literature. During the three-month study, water losses due to evaporation and deep drain discharges were significant, amounting to 139,053.63 m³ and 233,920.70 m³ respectively, enough to supply at least 27,249 people per day. Additionally, several structural and operational failures were identified, including damage to the hydraulic section and dikes, which lead to high costs and disturbances in the surrounding areas. The results are expected to support proposals for corrective and preventive maintenance, capable of addressing or at least mitigating the most common damages and impacts.