Panorama das outorgas de uso de águas subterrâneas na área de abrangência da SUPRM Central Metropolitana, Minas Gerais

Abstract

Studying the environmental implications of groundwater use is essential and challenging due, among other reasons, to difficulties in monitoring surface waters. The primary mechanism for managing the extraction of underground water resources is granting permits for water use, covering the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of its resources. In this context, this work sought to evaluate the evolution of the number of permits between 2001 and 2021 to verify whether the frequency of requests for underground concessions has increased, especially in recognized periods of surface water scarcity in the area covered by the SUPRAM Central Metropolitan. The research was based on data from underground water permits available on the IDE–SISEMA platform. Data extracted from the INMET meteorological database platform were used to identify periods of water scarcity, along with related publications about the situation of surface water scarcity in that period. The results show an apparent increase in the demand for groundwater between 2015 and 2021, a period that contained several years of recognized reduction in surface water availability. Agriculture proportionally required the most groundwater in the period, with an increase from 16.64% to 20.34% in the number of grant requests.