ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL WATER FOOTPRINT IN PIANCÓ RIVER SUB-BASIN LOCATED IN NORTHEASTERN SEMI-ARID REGION

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to  analyze the environmental sustainability of the total water footprint in the sub-basin of the Piancó/PB River, for the year 2017. For this purpose, the estimation of the total water footprint in the sub-basin was done by summing all estimates of the blue, green and gray components of the main water-using sectors. Subsequently, the sustainability of the water footprint in the sub-basin was analyzed from an environmental perspective, through the indicators of water scarcity recommended by the Water Footprint Assessment Manual. According to the results, it was evident that irrigated agriculture and sanitation are the sectors that exert the greatest pressure on water resources in the sub-basin. With regard to the sustainability of the water footprint in the sub-basin in 2017, it was sustainable on an annual scale, but between the months of July and December, the sub-basin presented unsustainable scarcity and pollution indices, due to the decrease in natural flows, caused mainly by the irregularity of rainfall in the region. However, the mapping of the water footprint and its sustainability in the sub basin of the Piancó/PB Rive, will subsidize the public manager in an accurate decision making and consequently promote the strengthening of the Water Resources Management System that seeks sustainable governance.