Household-scale water metabolism assisting the management of intermittent water supply systems: case studies in the Brazilian semi-arid region

ABSTRACT Urban water management faces the challenge of balancing supply and demand. Management and operations of urban water supply systems are usually driven by aggregated data on demands over sectors or city scales. This approach does not consider the impacts of the operations on the end-user, at the household. This study aims to provide a more detailed understanding of household-level water demands and demonstrate how this information can support intermittent urban water supply management. The social metabolism methodology and Maslow's hierarchy of needs were Applied. The research draws on both secondary and primary data, with questionnaires administered to 123 households in 47 cities located in the semi-arid region of Brazil. The findings reveal distinct consumption patterns, with rigid demand, which represent the most urgent needs, being prioritized by households and recommended for prioritization by water managers. Higher-order demands tend to increase water consumption, underscoring the need for awareness and water-efficiency policies tailored to different population segments.