WATER SHORTAGE Water Consumption As we all are aware, water is a precious natural resource. Even though it is found in large quantity all over the Earth, its treatment is difficult and expensive. Some specialists state that, if water consumption keeps up on the same level as it is now (considering high wastage), in a near future, we will have to deal with serious water shortage. Besides helping the environment, the practice of saving water through conscious consumption, can also save a lot of money spent on water bills. Current Situation in Brazil Considering hydraulic disposal and conditions of the system and production infrastructure, data shows that in 2015, 55% of all Brazilian cities will have a shortage in water provision and they include big cities such as: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Brasília. In percentage this represents 71% of total Brazilian population – 125 million people. Around 17% of the towns in Brazil have declared a state of emergency due to the shortage of water in their reservoirs. This is the worst drought in 84 years. In São Paulo, several neighborhoods are already experiencing water shortage, having to live without water for 18 hours per day. Some condos have adopted a rotating system, cutting off water supply for some periods and days of the week. Water authorities are considering adopting "five days off two days on" in order to reach the desired consumption level for the dry period. But this is still being discussed with all entities involved. Other large cities are also facing the same situation, such as: Salvador, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro. Water shortage also raises the risk of power blackouts, as the main source of energy in Brazil is hydroelectric. To avoid electricity crisis the government has recently implemented a new rule in the electricity charge: the more energy you use, the more expensive the payment for the consumed unit. See below the system of tariff flags adopted by the electricity companies in order to indicate the cost of power generation by the costumer: Green flag = the rate does not suffer any increase, as it represents a favorable condition of power generation. Yellow flag = the rate suffers an increase of R$2,50 per each 100 kilowatt-hours (KWh) consumed. It is a warning signal. Red flag = there is an increase of R$5,50 per each 100 kilowatt-hours (KWh) consumed, as there is a higher cost to generate and delivery electricity for the property due the high consumption. Tips to Save Water It is extremely important to be conscious about water consumption and save as much as possible on a daily basis. For so, we have listed some helpful practices that can be used: Washing dishes – Washing dishes with water flowing can waste around 105 liters of water. Dishwashers waste 40 liters every time you use it. Please make sure that your dishwasher is full before turning it on and, when using the tap to wash the dishes, make sure you do not leave the water flowing constantly. Shower – When taking a shower, make sure you turn off the water when soaping and showering your hair. This will help you to save around 132 liters of water. Also, retain the shower water while heating, and reuse for watering plants, cleaning the floor, etc. Brushing your teeth – When brushing your teeth, make sure you keep the water off and only turn it on when washing your mouth. It is even better to use a glass of water instead of using the tap. This action can save 3 liters of water. Electrical equipment – Unplug all your equipment while you are not using it. Toilet – Please check that the toilet valve is not broken or leaking. Also, do not dispose toilet paper in the toilet as this can cause serious clogging problems. Regular maintenance – on the electrical and hydraulic system of the property, to avoid waste due to lack of maintenance. Taps – An opened tap can waste between 12 and 20 liters per minute. Leaking can increase it to 1.380 liters per month. Please make sure you close the tap properly. Washing your car – Using a hose to wash your car will consume around 600 liters of water. Consider to wash your car with a dry washing system. We must be mindful of the water and energy crisis, not to be frightened by bills at the end of the month, but also to prevent drastic measures by the Government to reduce consumption. São Paulo Office: Avenida Piracema, 1061 - Tamboré Bareri - SP - Brazil - CEP: 06460-030 (55) 11-4193-1006 www.larmgroup.com Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Cayman Islands Chile Colombia Costa Rica Rio de Janeiro Office: Av. 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