Áreas críticas: análise de disponibilidade e demanda frente ao potencial de escassez hídrica

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the water availability and water use demands, considering the potential for water scarcity in the Azul River watershed located in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The irresponsible use of water resources and inadequate management can compromise multiple uses of water, leading to a critical water supply situation in the watershed. Therefore, understanding the availability and demands of a specific watershed is crucial to prevent potential scarcity. By delineating the watershed area, the study identified different types of water uses (consumptive and non-consumptive), permitted flow rates, purposes, and water users through the Diagnosis of Water Allocations and Flow Rates. Conflicts between demand and water availability were then analyzed. Thematic maps were created using the QGIS software to characterize the physiography of the Azul River watershed. The study revealed higher water withdrawals and existing authorizations for the agricultural sector. In terms of usage purposes, aquaculture had the largest share of water consumption within the consumptive uses (73%), followed by irrigation (13%). The available flow rate suggests a critical water supply situation, as the combined flow rates used by users for effluent discharge and surface water intake (17,331.85 m³/h) exceeded the water availability (5,572.53 m³/h). Thus, the current allocation criteria do not meet the demands of water users in the watershed. The technical report presenting the diagnostic analysis conducted in the watershed can contribute to water resource management by identifying the major water consumers, their uses, and analyzing water availability and demands.