Evaluación económica de la captación de agua lluvia como fuente alternativa de recurso hídrico en la Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia

Abstract

Introduction. There are sustainable technologies that not only aim to reduce pollution, but to prevent environmental problems. The main principles recommended for technological projects to use and clean water are based on the maximum reuse of clan and semi-clean water, flow reduction and waste separation in the production place, keeping them away from watercourses and treating them separately. Objective. To evaluate, both technically and economically, the rain water harvesting as an alternative water source at Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia. Materials and methods. Basic historical information about the consumption and demand of water in the institution was collected. A search for alternative water sources was proposed, quantifying the amount of water that could be harvested with the rain water system of the building, in order to store and distribute that water. On the other hand, an analysis and an economic projection of the implementation of this project were made. Results. It was determined that, according with the precipitation rate, Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia has a great potential for rain water harvesting for using it as an alternative source of water to be stored and distributed, thus reducing the demand and consumption of drinking water from the aqueduct of Empresas Públicas de Medellín. This means a cost saving in water bills of about $768.250 a month, and a reduction in the demand of environmental goods and services related to water of 384 m³. Conclusions. The implementation f sustainable construction projects related to water and the use of rain water as an alternative water source can be economically, sociably and environmentally feasible, according to the analysis of the context in which the Project is implemented.