Análise da (in)justiça hídrica a partir do metabolismo urbano da água na escala domiciliar.

Abstract

Access to water, a basic need and a human right, is marked by deep inequalities that result in water injustice. These inequalities stem not only from natural factors but also from inadequate resource management, deficient infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions. Water injustice occurs when users face limited access to water, exacerbating existing inequalities and restricting their ability to adapt. This study aims to assess water injustice through the approach of urban water metabolism at the household scale. The research was conducted on this scale, allowing for a detailed analysis of the dynamics of access, storage and use of water. Methodologically, the urban water metabolism approach, combined with social metabolism, was employed to understand the water metabolic structure within households, characterize vulnerability, and identify the causes and impacts of inequality in water access. The research used secondary and primary data collection, where the primary data were obtained through the application of questionnaires in 154 households in 58 cities located in the northeast region of Brazil. By constructing the household metabolic structure, it was possible to identify different levels of vulnerability related to water quality and quantity. However, no single pattern was observed in the metabolic structure of the studied cases. The water intake process and the intermittency of the supply system were determining factors in how water is metabolized. Users are exposed to risks concerning both water quality and quantity, and these risks occur at different stages of the metabolism. Some changes in the metabolic structure, such as monitoring and controlling water intake sources and using fixed storage reservoirs with proper maintenance, make metabolic pathways safer.