Classification of water supply systems based on energy efficiency

Abstract

The Brazilian Labeling Program is a forceful instrument for the conservation of energy. In addition to allowing consumers to evaluate the best products from an energy point of view, it sets targets to make the products increasingly more efficient. In this context, buildings that can currently obtain the energy efficiency label are also included, demonstrating to customers the concern for sustainability. However, there are still many products and systems that can be labeled but for which legislation has not yet been enacted, including water supply systems. Owing to the different characteristics of the systems and the different possibilities for efficiency improvement, it is necessary to develop indicators that actually represent the reality of each system and make it possible to compare them. Thus, this study proposes the use of certain indicators for classification of the systems. A classification by sector benchmarking is also proposed in Brazil, and an example is presented for the classification of Brazilian systems based on four indicators obtained by the National Sanitation Information System