Water consumption assessment and classification in industrial buildings - The case study of Continental Advanced Antenna, Vila Real, Portugal

Abstract

Water abstraction for the industrial, domestic, and agricultural sectors increased from 0.67 trillion m3/year in the 1900s to 3.79 trillion m3/year in 2000, and it is expected to increase by 55 % in 2050 when the majority of the world's population will live in urban areas. Concerning the industrial sector, despite the efforts to a more sustainable use, water is still an essential and irreplaceable resource, and this situation tends to increase due to modern industrial installations that require large-scale and complex water distribution systems. Usually, industries consume a large volume of water, however due to more and severer regulations, it is necessary to propose strategies for the aid of water conservation.This article presents a methodology to analyse, classify and optimize water consumption in industrial installations, using a real case study located in Vila Real, Portugal. The daily water consumption per worker, the daily record of use of each type of device and the hourly usage pattern were analysed and a classification was achieved according to the ANQIP (National Association for Quality in Building Installations) calculator. The case study revealed a great opportunity of improvement in what concerns to water efficient use. Some measures to improve the efficiency of water use in the building were pointed out, such as the use of rainwater harvesting systems, the use of aerators and replacements of taps and faucets when possible.The methodology is expeditious and user-friendly, and easy to replicate in similar cases, however it reveals some difficulties (especially in the data collection process that is made by inquiry, once it is always dependent on the respondent sensibility and willingness).