Correlation between water consumption and the operating conditions of plumbing fixtures in public buildings

Abstract

Abstract Water resource management consists of planning and implementing measures to ensure sufficient and quality supply to activities requiring water usage, including the supply of plumbing systems in buildings. Major problems arise from mismanagement of water usage, such as the lack of proper upkeep practices and maintenance of plumbing fixtures in public buildings. The aim of this study is to analyze the existence of possible statistical correlations between water consumption data and operating conditions of plumbing fixtures in public administrative buildings. Ten public buildings were visited in Brazil while performing this research, in order to determine the per capita water consumption, flow rates, and operating conditions of plumbing fixtures. Flow rate data were obtained through field measurements by the gravimetric method and compared with the values set by Brazilian standards and environmental certifications. Consumption indicators were calculated, which showed variation from 16.6 to 69.3 L/user/day. The performed statistical analysis pointed out that there was significant correlation with variables related to construction and operating conditions of plumbing fixtures, such as the number of installed devices, number of leaks and defects found, in addition to devices with flow rate noncompliant to limits established by current legislation.