Rational water use at universities--University of Caxias do Sul case study/Racionalizacao do uso da agua em uma instituicao de ensino superior--estudo de caso da Universidade de Caxias do Sul/ Uso racional del agua en una institución de educación superior--un Estudio de caso de la Universidad de Caxias do Sul

The present work was developed in the central campus of Universidade de Caxias do Sul (UCS). Its objective is to propose guidelines for water management in the laboratories of the institution, in order to reduce water waste therein. A diagnosis was carried out for global hydric consumption and the demand of each point that already present hydrometers installed for consumption control. It was also quantified the exclusively water outflow for cooling purposes in laboratorial systems. The goals were to achieve rational water usage in these laboratories and reduce consumption. Starting from the mapping of equipment and identification of each system contribution in total consumption of each unit, were proposed actions of rational water consumption and conservation, aiming consumption control, minimization of losses actions and water reuse alternatives such as a water recirculation system or direct water reuse at the laboratories.