Análise e perspectivas de normativas de águas urbanas : um estudo comparativo entre Espanha e Brasil

Abstract

Urban water management is a complex issue that involves environmental, regulatory, social and scientific aspects, focused on the application of sanitation measures to preserve natural resources, optimize quality of life and guarantee support for economic activities. The general objective of this research was to carry out a comparative analysis of the legislation regulating the processes of potabilization and treatment of urban water in Spain and Brazil. The concepts that define the processes of potabilization and purification of wastewater in the urban water cycle were reviewed and the respective regulations in both countries were analyzed, identifying divergences in the regulatory parameters and their established concentrations. Recommendations were also drawn up for specific improvements to the legislation analyzed. The methodology used consisted of consulting official sources from government bodies in both countries, as well as information provided by research institutes, sanitation companies and other relevant media. This study was divided into two articles: one focused on aspects related to drinking water treatment and the other on wastewater treatment. Each article describes the quality parameters and limits established in current legislation, as well as analyzing the current state of basic sanitation in Spain and Brazil. Finally, the paper compares the two countries and proposes regulatory improvements. Based on the results obtained, it was found that, with regard to drinking water, Spain adopts more restrictive limits than Brazil, although both countries offer water of adequate quality for consumption. With regard to wastewater regulation, both Spain and Brazil demonstrate a commitment to environmental protection, the conservation of water resources and the promotion of public health. Spain, however, sets stricter standards in terms of quality and contaminant control, while Brazil faces additional challenges, mainly due to its territorial extension and the diversity of local water management conditions. Differences in the environmental, socio-economic and political contexts of each country result in variations in the limits for wastewater treatment and discharge, as well as in the control of drinking water quality. Therefore, the improvements proposed in this work take these particularities into account, highlighting the importance of revising and adapting legislation according to the reality of each nation.