Uso da água no Brasil e sua relação com condicionantes econômicos: análise a partir de simulações com um modelo de equilíbrio geral

Water scarcity situation are increasingly occurring in certain regions in Brazil. In addition to extreme events vulnerability, the increased exports, household consumption and the water use intensity of the economic activities, generates water demands growth that contributes to water stress. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between structural characteristics of the Brazilian economy and growth path, with water use. Our main contribution is the articulation of a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with a recursive dynamics to sector data of water withdrawal and consumption. We suggest that this is an appropriate methodological framework to study the relation of economics water use, which may overcome some of the limitations of partial equilibrium econometric models or input-output models. The results indicate that the agricultural sector and the mining-metallurgical and construction chain have more intense impacts on water demand from exports. Furthermore, there is a greater dependence on the electricity and gas sectors, and sewage, considering the effects on water withdrawal due to the increase in households demand.