São Paulo area consumes less water

Water consumption in Brazil's most populous metropolitan area has decreased some years after a severe drought forced water rationing.

Consumption in São Paulo metropolitan area dropped 15% compared with 2014, when the region suffered a drought, according to a report by the O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper.

Due to the low level of rainfall and the consequent depletion of water reservoirs, the state governor implemented water rationing between 2014 and 2016.

Currently, state water utility Sabesp produces 60,900 liters per second to serve 21mn people in São Paulo metropolitan area. Four years ago demand reached 71,400 liters per second.

"During the crisis there was a very important positioning of the population, which started to consume less water and to acquire different habits. In the post-crisis period, this economy continued and the numbers show that there has been a change of habits. It is a legacy of the crisis," said water resources secretary Benedito Braga in an interview with the newspaper.

Among the new habits the population adopted count lower frequency of washing cars and wetting sidewalks.