Peer-reviewed
Environmental benefit analysis of strategies for potable water savings in residential buildings
The objective of this study is to assess the environmental benefit of using rainwater, greywater, water-efficient appliances and their combinations in low-income houses. The study was conducted surveying twenty households located in southern Brazil, which resulted in water end-uses estimation. Then, embodied energy, potential for potable water savings and sewage reduction when using the different strategies were estimated. The environmental benefit analysis of these strategies was performed using an indicator that includes embodied energy, potable water savings, reduction of sewage and energy consumption in the water utility, and sewage production during the life cycle of the system. The results indicated that the strategy with the greatest environmental benefit is the use of water-efficient appliances, which resulted in substantial water savings and reduction of sewage, causing low environmental impact due to lower embodied energy over the life cycle.
• Rainwater, greywater and water-efficient appliances were studied in low-income houses. • The potential for potable water savings ranged from 21.0% to 42.9%. • Embodied energy varied from 641.0 MJ to 25,634.6 MJ. • The greatest reduction of domestic sewage was 36.8%. • Water-efficient appliance was the strategy with the greatest environmental benefit
• Rainwater, greywater and water-efficient appliances were studied in low-income houses. • The potential for potable water savings ranged from 21.0% to 42.9%. • Embodied energy varied from 641.0 MJ to 25,634.6 MJ. • The greatest reduction of domestic sewage was 36.8%. • Water-efficient appliance was the strategy with the greatest environmental benefit
Article, 2018
Journal of Environmental Management, 206, 20180115, 28
2018